POLAND – School Union 29, which includes Poland, Mechanic Falls and Minot, will hold an Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention forum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Poland Regional High School cafeteria.

Parents, teachers, officials, youth and other community members can learn about the impact of underage drinking and drug use on the community and develop possible ways to address the issue.

New data show that approximately 29 percent of young people ages 12 to 20 have used alcohol illegally.

By the time they reach eighth grade, 42 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink and almost 20 percent report having been drunk.

Panelists will include a prevention specialist, adolescents in recovery, 911 dispatch, Mechanic Falls Police Department and the Poland Regional High School police officer. The event is sponsored by Poland Maine Youth Voices.