Middle-school students in North Carolina will receive media-literacy education on alcohol ads and other media that promote underage drinking under a new state initiative, the Raleigh News & Observer reported Sept. 12.

The program, called "Media Ready," features 10 lessons designed to be delivered in school and was unveiled this week by First Lady Mary Easley and acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu. The curriculum already is in use in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Chatham schools.

"What motivates me more than anything is tackling something that interrupts a child's full potential," Easley said. "Alcohol does that ... This curriculum is effective in reducing underage drinking because it was developed by leading child clinical and developmental psychologists who are also substance abuse prevention scientists and experienced educators."

Media-literacy teachers and Safe and Drug-Free Schools coordinators from across the state will attend two-day training sessions to learn the curriculum.