Superintendent of Schools Eileen King and other planners are urging all parents, grandparents, family members, business and community leaders to make the time to be at an important Town Meeting regarding underage drinking on Monday, May 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Boothbay Region High School.

Maine's Attorney General Steven Rowe will hold the Town Meeting for all community members and students in grades six through 12.

Rowe, a leader in the state of Maine on the issue of underage drinking, will help the community develop and implement an Action Plan to address underage drinking and substance abuse.

King, State Representative Bruce McDonald, Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch, CEO of St. Andrews Healthcare Peggy Pinkham, Executive Director of the Boothbay Region YMCA Andy Hamblett, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jamie Logan, and Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Holly Stover will also be participating.

The problem is serious: Data shows that one in six Maine high school freshmen binge drink each month, and that the earlier a child starts drinking, the greater the chances of alcohol addiction, and there is an increased chance that child will suffer often irreversible brain damage.