The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Forty-six percent of Jefferson City High School kids say they've used alcohol. That's ten points higher than the state average.

More than ever, police say alcohol is easy to come by, like at the party police found this past weekend at a home at Lake Mykee near Holts Summit.

Investigators were tipped off after more than 600 kids responded to a party invitation on Facebook.

"A lot of times kids perceptions are that everybody does this type of thing", said Joy Sweeny with the Center for Drug free Youth.

Sweeney said most of the time kids participate in these parties to be social, not recognizing the potential dangers, nor do the adults who host them, "If you host a party you should know you'll be prosecuted, that's something that a lot of parents aren't cognizant of."

She said even if you take a minor's car keys it's still a criminal act.

School officials say they talk about the consequences of underage drinking because students don't realize a conviction can mean they can be kicked off sports teams and even have their drivers license revoked until the age of 21.

David Luther with the Jefferson City Public Schools said, "Ultimately it needs to be a conversation from a parent to child you know what we will say is secondary to anything a parent will say."

Parents still have a strong influence on most kids, national research shows, the number one reason kids say they don't drink is because their parents told them not to.