SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE

MONTGOMERY—The Alabama chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has received a grant from Gov. Robert Bentley to continue a program to prevent underage drinking.

The $100,000 grant will help MADD continue school-based educational programs, assemblies and DVD presentations to help teenagers understand the dangers of consuming alcohol and driving while intoxicated.

“MADD is doing excellent work with the youth and parents of our state to help prevent the risky behaviors that too often lead to deadly consequences,” Bentley said. “I commend the MADD staff for their dedication to saving lives through education and awareness.”

The grant funds also will help MADD start a new, community-based program called the Power of Parents: It’s Your Influence to help parents of children ages 14-18 talk about the dangers of alcohol with their children. The program uses workshops and a website that serves as an information hub about topics such as warning signs of alcohol use. The 30-minute workshops will be scheduled later this year for locations throughout the state.

More information about the upcoming workshops is available at www.madd.org under “local offices.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.