News Release

September 17, 2007
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 213-4419
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

ABC Awards Operation Undergrad Grants to Virginia Colleges to Prevent Underage and Binge Drinking Among Students

Richmond - The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) awarded Operation Undergrad grants to law enforcement offices from six Virginia campus communities. These grants, for the 2007-08 academic year, will be used to combat underage and binge drinking among college students by helping campus enforcement offices enhance their alcohol education initiatives. Funding for these grants, totaling $38,314.09, was made possible through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program.

This year's recipients are: Thomas Nelson Community College Police Department ($7,498), Virginia Western Community College Police Academy ($4,174), George Mason University Police Department ($6,992), Radford University Police Department ($6,400), Randolph College ($5,750) and Washington and Lee University ($7,500).

Operation Undergrad supplies the means for an increased campus presence in deterring underage consumption and reducing heaving drinking among those of age. The grant's objective is to foster partnerships among the campus and local law enforcement departments, regional ABC Enforcement Offices, community organizations and campus substance abuse coordinators in an effort to combat these consumption issues.

A panel consisting of three alcohol prevention coordinators and one law enforcement officer selected the recipients. The selection was based on many factors, including: expected number of people reached through the program; ability to show the link between enforcement and the community in combating underage drinking and reducing heavy drinking among those of age; demonstrated ability to gain broad-based organization and/or community support and established mechanisms to ensure effectiveness and accountability.