News from the
United States Congress
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||||
| June 27, 2007 | ||||
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Arkansas Delegation Announces $350,000 Grant to Prevent Underage Drinking |
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, John Boozman, and Mike Ross announced today that the state of Arkansas has been awarded a $350,000 grant through the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Block Grants Program. Provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, the grant aims to support and enhance State and local efforts to enforce laws prohibiting minors from purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages. "The federal government and our communities must work together to prevent underage drinking," said Lincoln. "These federal dollars will fund initiatives to help educate our youth about the consequences of underage drinking while supporting a zero tolerance policy for those who provide alcohol to minors."
"It’s a no-brainer that we should keep alcohol out of the hands of kids," said Pryor. "These funds will go a long way to further state and local education efforts to prevent underage drinking and keep our communities and roadways safe."
"Cracking down on underage drinking and individuals who sell to minors is crucial to keeping our children safe," said Berry. "I’m pleased to see this money going to the State of Arkansas for the creation of task forces and other innovative programs aimed at combating underage drinking."
"It's important to educate kids, and adults, on the dangers and consequences of underage drinking," said Congressman Vic Snyder. "I'm pleased to join the delegation in announcing this grant from the Department of Justice."
"Underage drinking is a problem which can be solved, and this money will go a long way toward that end," Boozman said. "The key educating our youth, and parents, about the dangers of underage drinking, and cracking down on people who sell, or provide, alcohol to minors. This federal grant will allow the state to craft common-sense solutions at the local level to address this problem."
"We must make every effort to curb underage drinking in our communities and I am proud to help provide funding for the Department of Justice and the State of Arkansas to enforce drinking laws and to reduce the number of underage drinkers," Ross said.
In 1998, Congress appropriated funding to establish the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) program. The objectives of EUDL are to establish statewide task forces of state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, develop public advertising campaigns and support innovative programs aimed at reducing underage drinking.
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