TABC Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 29, 2008

TABC Awards $198,206 in Grant Funding to Enforce Underage Drinking Laws

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) recently awarded seven grants totaling $198,206 to Texas cities, universities, law enforcement and community coalitions. The grants will fund efforts throughout Texas to enforce underage drinking laws that prohibit the sale, purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.

“Our agency is fortunate enough to be responsible for distributing this federal grant money. This funding allows communities to work together to identify local needs and sustain a successful strategy to combat underage drinking. Our goal is to make minors and their parents more aware of underage drinking laws and the dangerous consequences of underage drinking. We believe that strong community involvement increases the odds of effectively reaching out, primarily through education as well as enforcement of the law.” said TABC Administrator Alan Steen.

Each project addresses underage drinking through a comprehensive program involving various members of the local community. The grants provide funding for communities to increase enforcement efforts and provide educational programs. The educational programs increase awareness of underage drinking laws and the consequences of underage drinking.

Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) block grant. TABC serves as the designated state administrator for EUDL grant funds and monitors each project. TABC has been administering the annual EUDL grant funding since 2002.

TABC employees, community group leaders, and other state agencies' personnel were involved in reviewing the grant applications to determine the awardees. While all applicants' projects are worthy endeavors, we were limited to the funds available.

2008-2009 EUDL Grant Recipients and Funded Projects

• Austin Police Department Alcohol Control Team ($35,000), City of Austin EUDL Project
• Bay Area Council of Drugs and Alcohol ($27,080), Brazoria County Coalition EUDL Project
• University of Houston ($37,501), Club U II: Preventing Underage Drinking
• New Braunfels Police Department ($29,384), Operation Intervention
• Texas A&M University Kingsville ($18,652), Kingsville Underage Drinking Prevention Program
• Tarleton State University ($23,887), Alcohol Education and Preventions Programming
• City of Grand Prairie ($26,702), Grand Prairie EUDL Project

Contact: Carolyn Beck, Public Information Officer (512) 206-3347