ATLANTA – The Georgia Underage Drinking Prevention Initiative, under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), was awarded the 2009 National Exemplary Award for Innovate Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The award highlights local, creative and effective programs working to prevent substance abuse in the community.

“We are extremely honored to accept this award,” said Dr. Brenda Rowe, Director, Prevention Services and Programs. “We started this program in 2005 to establish a statewide initiative on prevention of underage drinking. Being recognized by CSAP speaks to the commitment and hard work we have put into decreasing the onset of underage drinking in our communities. We will continue our work because we know that prevention can and does save lives.”

The Georgia Underage Drinking Prevention Initiative decreases underage drinking and problems related to substance abuse. The program was awarded a $1500 unrestricted grant in September at the Annual National Prevention Network Research Conference, which was held in Anaheim, California.

Contact Information:

Kristie Swink ([email protected])