FLORENCE -- Law enforcement and alcohol prevention agencies met Friday to announce a new program aimed at reducing the use of alcohol by those underage.

According to the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, underage drinking costs South Carolina nearly $1.2 billion each year.

With high school proms here, agencies decided it was a good time to launch a new a statewide effort called "Out of their Hands."

In a two year span between 2006 and 2008 in South Carolina, there were 158 deaths and many more injured directly related to underage drinking.

Karen Acosta is with Florence police. She told us how she'll convey the message to teens that drinking underage is dangerous. "We were talking about your life expectancy is to 77. But when you make a bad choice at the age of 17, you have 60 years to deal with those consequences. Those consequences can deal from everything from losing a scholarship to losing a life to losing a friend."

Law enforcement agencies throughout the Grand Strand and Pee Dee say they are increasing their efforts to stop underage drinking.

The following agencies participated in Friday's announcement: Florence County Sheriff's Office, Florence Police Department, Lake City Police Department, Olanta Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Department, Marion Police Department, Circle Park Behavioral Health Services and Shoreline Behavioral. 

Compliance checks, public safety checkpoints and evidence based prevention programs are part of the agencies' strategy.