The Buckhannon-Upshur High school community took its first formal step forward in its attempt to thwart underage drinking at a town hall-style meeting Tuesday evening.

Four months ago four teenage girls were killed when their truck crashed into a tree. Just 34 days later another teenager was killed.

Both accidents involved alcohol.

Tuesday's meeting featured guest speakers, including Chief Matthew Gregory of the Buckhannon Police Department who presented a video and outlined the department's BASIC Program.

The BASIC Program is a diversion program that teaches the dangers of alcohol and alcohol abuse. To date, 256 people have completed the program.

The second part of the meeting included several round-table discussions covering different aspects of the problem.

Topics discussed included increased enforcement, alternative activities and better education.