Governor Rell: $11.5 Million to Combat Underage Drinking

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut has been named one of just four states to receive $11.5 million in federal funds to target underage drinking. Through a highly competitive application process, four states, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee, were awarded these funds by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Connecticut will receive $2.3 million in each of the next five years. 

“We are trying to lower alcohol consumption by Connecticut teens, and we feel that these funds will help save lives and avoid senseless tragedies,” Governor Rell said.  “Our substance abuse prevention efforts are already strong, and this grant represents a reward for our past success.  We want no teen to fall through the cracks, so this grant will help us to address gaps in our current prevention services.”

The Governor has designated the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to use the funds in support of a state effort known as the “Connecticut Partnerships for Success Initiative.”  The Connecticut Partnerships for Success Initiative aims to achieve a targeted decrease in alcohol consumption by youth ages 12-17 and 18-20. To that end, the grant will fund community coalitions statewide to utilize prevention approaches to produce measurable reductions in alcohol consumption patterns and their negative consequences. The University of Connecticut Health Center will conduct evaluations at the state and community levels to track performance targets.

The Connecticut Partnerships for Success Initiative is a cooperative venture involving state agencies, academic, and community partners. These partners include DMHAS, the Connecticut Departments of Children and Families, Consumer Protection, Education, Higher Education, Public Health, Public Safety, Social Services, Transportation, the Office of Policy and Management, the Judicial Branch, the State Chiefs’ Attorney Office, the Connecticut State University System, the University of Connecticut Health Center and community agencies.

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