Underage drinking remains one of the biggest problems in Williams County and the surrounding area.

According to the latest Youth Risk Behavioral Study for Region 1, which includes Williams, Divide and McKenzie counties, four out of 10 rode with a drinking driver, two out of 10 drove after drinking, five out of 10 drank in the last 30 days, four out of 10 binged and one out of 10 drank at school.

"Alcohol is getting to be a bigger and bigger problem," said Deb Nelson, owner of DLN Consulting Inc. of Dickinson, who presented the numbers at a town hall meeting for under underage drinking Tuesday night at the Williston Public Library. "Kids are drinking a lot more than in the past."

Williams County has the second highest rating in the state for drinking after driving and binge drinking in grades 9-12, and is the highest in the state when it comes to riding with a drinking driver (grades 7-12), drinking in the past 30 days (grades 9-12), binge drinking (grades 7-8) and offered, given or sold illegal drugs on school property (grades 9-12).

Nelson said that alcohol sales have increased by 47 percent in the last five years, including 83 percent in Williams County. Also, 25 percent of that alcohol is consumed by those under 21. However, Nelson told the group of 40 to 45 in attendance that things are improving.

"It is getting better and some significant strides are being made," she said. "It's grim, but it's improving."

Facts show that those who drank in the last 30 days went from 63 percent in 2001 to 50 percent in 2007, binge drinking went from 53 percent in 2001 to 35 percent in 2007, those who rode with drinking driver went from 52 percent in 2001 to 35 percent in 2007 and those who drove after drinking went from 34 percent in 2001 to 20 percent in 2007.

When comparing alcohol use to other drugs, alcohol is the overwhelming choice as 50.3 percent of those surveyed said they drank in the last 30 days. The next highest was marijuana at 14.9 percent, while use of inhalants, methamphetamine, steroids and cocaine were 3.3 percent or less.

Where are teenagers getting their alcohol?

"A majority of kids get alcohol at home from their families," Nelson said.

So, what is being done to help today's teens? One thing is the newly-formed Juvenile Drug Court in Williston.

This program began in January and is for youths age 13-18. Other general criteria is:

An assessment indicating a drug and/or alcohol abuse problem.

No prior or pending violent felony adjudications or pending petitions alleging violent felony level delinquent acts.

No previous referral to JDC.

Admission to the offense and/or a court order.

No pending petitions alleging possession with intent to manufacture or sell a controlled substance.

Who qualifies for JDC? According to its pamphlet, the JDC team has some flexibility as to who is eligible, depending on their age, drug and/or alcohol history and nature of their prior convictions, to enter the JDC program.

The program consists of four different paths, each taking two or three months to complete. It consists of drug court review hearings, alcohol/drug screens, probation contacts, tracking, electronic monitoring, alcohol/drug testing, parental involvement, community service, restitution, school attendance, employment, education classes, treatment and law enforcement.

"This is one year of high intensity supervision," JDC Director Jack Colby said. "I'm anticipating good things will come out of this."