Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel announced a US Department of Health and Human Services grant of $193,032, for a program to curb drinking among underage high school students in South Orangetown.

Rep. Engel said, “Alcohol is the most abused drug in America and because it is so prevalent, most people do not realize its potential to destroy lives. The Stop Underage Drinking Success (SUDS) Project, for prevention and reduction of alcohol abuse by youngsters, will highlight this problem through enforcement and by warning them that alcohol is not harmless.”

The SUDS project will help South Orangetown and the local school district by increasing collaboration among communities, private nonprofits, and government, by stressing awareness of alcohol’s harm, and by utilizing enforcement measures in underage use and sales. SUDS is focusing on high school students as the population where the most serious consequences appear to be occurring.

SUDS will also work to reduce substance abuse among young people, and over time, among adults, by addressing factors that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize such abuse. The program will increase the number of alcohol establishments with a "Two ID" Policy, and implement a Fake ID Campaign, increase enforcement of underage drinking laws.

The program will aim at the approximately 1,850 students in grades 6-12 with a residual impact on parents and families of almost 2,800 more individuals.

The grant is for $48,258 initially and is to be renewed annually until 2016.

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