Teens help prevent underage drinking

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) - Two hundred teenagers are taking part in a program aimed at creating young role models and helping prevent underage drinking.

The 22nd annual TeamSpirit program is taking place at Bryant University through August 1.  The youth leadership training program is organized by the Rhode Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

MADD Rhode Island executive director Gabrielle Abbate says a key part of the program is teaching teens to make smart decisions about drugs and alcohol.

"The bottom line is young people are going to go to different environments and they're going to be on their own and they have to make that choice," Abbate says.

Abbate says this year's seminar takes on new meaning following the highly-publicized alcohol-related troubles involving the teenage sons of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Governor Lincoln Chafee.

"For every somebody named Sheldon Whitehouse and someone named Chafee, there's another child with a completely different name facing the same challenges."

Students from 22 different high schools are participating in this year's TeamSpirit program.