Governor Riley Awards Grant To Reduce Underage Drinking
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: December 22, 2010
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and Students Against Destructive Decisions are receiving grants to conduct programs that provide education, motivation and tools to help Alabama youth avoid alcohol. A grant to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will strengthen its enforcement efforts.
“Pressured by friends and peer groups, teenagers sometimes make bad choices that have tragic consequences,” Riley said. “Programs provided by MADD and SADD help teens to make wise and responsible decisions, while the work of the ABC Board helps prevent the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.”
The ABC Board’s Law Enforcement Division will receive a $138,580 grant for investigations and surveillance of businesses suspected of selling alcohol to minors.
A $100,000 grant will help MADD continue school-based educational programs, assemblies and DVD presentations during prom seasons and graduation to help teenagers understand the dangers of consuming alcohol and driving while intoxicated. MADD also received a $27,645 grant to assist Alabamians who are victims of drunken drivers and those who have lost loved ones in crashes caused by alcohol-impaired drivers.
The Alabama Department of Public Health will use a $100,000 grant to continue the operations of SADD to help students avoid alcohol, drugs and other destructive behaviors. The Alabama SADD network includes chapters in elementary, junior high, middle and high schools, and two colleges.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Riley notified Emory Folmar of the Alabama ABC Board, Pam Gill of MADD and Dr. Donald Williamson of the Department of Public Health that the grants had been approved.












