CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO COMBAT UNDERAGE DRINKING (6/3/98)
A request for applications was issued June 3 to provide discretionary grants to reduce the availability of alcoholic beverages to minors and the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.
BACKGROUND
Senator Byrd (D-WV) included an amendment to the Fiscal Year 1998 appropriations bill that provides a total of $25 million to combat underage drinking. States will receive most the money, but $5 million has been set aside for discretionary grants and $1.6 million will be made available for training and technical assistance.
States will receive $360,000 each, which will most likely go through the alcoholic beverage control office. Some states might subcontract for portions of that funding, so it might be worth checking with state officials to see if your affiliate can participate in state efforts.
The objectives of the discretionary grants are:
* Establish or enhance comprehensive community
programs thatdeal with underage drinking, with
a special emphasis on increasing law enforcement
activity with regard to the sale of alcohol to
minors;
* Encourage youth leadership and participation in
planning and program activities at the state and
local levels;
* Develop and implement strategies that coordinate
state-level planning and program activity with
community program activities developed under this
effort.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The grant and application can be accessed on the website at:
www.ncjrs.org/ojjdp/grantprograms/drink2.html
or, call the Department of Justice's Response Center at 800/421-6770 for assistance and/or more information.