MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – The head of a state task force on women and addiction says the rate of drinking among teenage girls is skyrocketing.

Niki Miller, task force executive director, blames high rates of drinking among that group on “alcopop” – sweet malt liquor beverages with the look and taste of soda pop that are popular with women under 21.

Miller considers alcopop a gateway beverage for teenage girls who drink alcohol.

She is concerned that prevention programs for teenage girls aren’t keeping up with statistics that report underage drinking is higher among girls than boys. Miller is working to fight that trend by designing a targeted prevention program for girls, a collaboration between the task force and the Manchester Y-W-C-A.

Miller says the program will try to keep teen girls from drinking by highlighting links between alcohol, eating disorders and sexual assault.

“We’re trying to give girls some tools that will allow them to control their minds and bodies in healthy ways,” she said.