Grant awarded to help businesses become more knowledgeable in preventing underage drinking

By Staff Writer

The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) recently announced that it awarded The state's Council on Alcohol and Drugs a grant to organize and deliver regular workshops to help retailers avoid selling alcohol to minors.

The Responsible Alcohol and Sales Service (RASS), which will be established in four Georgia counties, is designed to educate alcohol owners and licensees in preventing the sale and service of alcohol to minors. GOHS awarded $91,400 to help develop this program for Fulton, Hall, Rockdale and Spalding Counties.

Research from Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University showed that RASS training workshops can be effective in raising awareness of policies and issues relating to underage alcohol sales and service.

Therapeutic boarding schools can help children who consume alcohol on a regular basis by offering education that promotes healthy life choices. Furthermore, these learning institutions can provide drug rehab for teens who suffer from alcoholism.

The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals that nearly 42 percent of high school students consumed alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study. Furthermore, 10 percent of the same group reported driving after drinking alcohol.