American society needs to change its attitude toward underage drinking, much as it has with tobacco usage, Steven K. Galson, the acting U.S. surgeon general, said today.

Galson spoke to a gathering of about 150 Downtown at Trinity Episcopal Church. Ohio first lady Frances Strickland and Angela Cornelius, director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, also spoke at the event sponsored by the Drug-Free Action Alliance.

“Underage drinking is not a harmless rite of passage,” Galson said.

Underage drinking cost Ohio $2.7 billion in 2005, Galson said. Ohio is 14 ^{t h} out of 50 states in its rate of underage drinking.

Scientific research shows that teenage drinking results in short- and long-term negative effects in brain function, Galson said.

If a child drinks before age 15, there is a five times greater risk that he or she will become an alcoholic.

Alcohol is also a factor in thousands of physical and sexual assaults among teenagers, Galson said.

Galson said it will take a concerted effort to educate parents and children about the dangers of underage alcohol consumption.