Working to combat underage drinking in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Community leaders in Springfield are sharing the results of a study on risky behaviors taken by more that 1,200 city 8th grade students.

The study, which asked students about behaviors like underage drinking, was conducted by a group called the Stop Access Springfield Coalition .

Their goal is to prevent young people from drinking and engaging in other behaviors that are likely to cause them to fail in school or become violent.

Survey results found that 25% of Springfield students had their first drink before age 13, which is above the state average of 15%. It also found that more than 14% of eighth graders have done binge drinking.

51% of eighth graders who drink say that they get their alcohol from relatives.

There was some positive news, however. Survey results found that Springfield high school students reported a lower overall drinking rate than the state average.

The Stop Access Springfield Coalition is a partnership between the Gandara Center and the Springfield Public Schools.