Teens soaking Gummi bears with vodka

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Teens soaking Gummi bears with vodka can be added to other creative ways of getting drunk such as vodka-soaked tampon, Minnesota health officials say.

The Minnesota Health Department, the Hennepin County Regional Poison Center and the Dakota County attorney's office sent warnings to schools about the booze-soaked Gummi bears in mid-October, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

James Backstrom, Dakota County attorney, said the spiked Gummi bears are gaining traction via the Internet, with instructions and YouTube clips readily available.

"The Internet gives things life," Backstrom told the Star Tribune. "Kids are drinking way more than their parents. It's the difference between having dialup and broadband."

Minnesota is among the Top 5 states for binge drinking, along with Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota.