LEWISTON – A series of meetings to help parents prevent underage drinking will begin Wednesday, Jan. 30, and continue through March 12.

“Find Out More, Do More,” developed by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, will be presented by Healthy Androscoggin, in collaboration with five school districts and local law enforcement officials on five Wednesday evenings.

The meeting will present information and tips about how to keep young people from using alcohol and other drugs and will allow parents a space to share ideas with one another.

Recent survey results show that Maine parents underestimate the likelihood that their children are drinking. In fact, while almost 58 percent of Maine students in grades eight through 12 reported they had tried alcohol, only 23 percent of parents believed their teens had done so.

“The choices our young people make can have devastating effects on our community. I believe this is one of the most important meetings parents can attend,” said Chief Phil Crowell of the Auburn Police Department.