NASHUA, NH (December 9, 2008) - In its first funding move, Greater Nashua Community Prevention Coalition (GNCPC) will offer $80,000 in grants to regional groups that will collaborate on reducing and preventing underage drinking. In addition, the coalition will make available $20,000 to help local high schools administer a survey about students’ risk behavior.

The funds stem from a two-year, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services grant that supports best practice substance abuse prevention programs for youth and young adults. The coalition recently submitted its strategic plan to the state, which approved the first $100,000 in spending.

In issuing its Request For Proposals, GNCPC is calling on substance abuse prevention providers to form local coalitions within eight regions: Nashua, Hudson, Hollis/Brookline, Merrimack, Litchfield, Milford, Amherst/Milford, and Wilton/Lyndeborough. Grants of $10,000 will be awarded to each local coalition for the period of February 1 through September 30, 2009, with an option to renew for one year pending availability of funding and necessary approvals.

For much of this year, GNCPC has gathered input from numerous local groups and individuals about existing substance abuse prevention services, perceptions of high-risk alcohol consumption, and readiness of communities to implement programs aimed at reducing high-risk drinking. Participants included representatives of law enforcement, media, education, local/state government, business, healthcare, youth serving organizations, substance abuse treatment providers, faith groups, non-profits, the recovery community, and parents. GNCPC reviewed the data, and its members agreed to target underage drinking by addressing perception of risk, accessibility of alcohol, and social norms.

“Our comprehensive assessment – which included focus groups, interviews, and surveys – determined that, out of the various issues, reducing underage drinking should be the Coalition’s top priority in our region,” said Debbie Woelflein, coalition oversight board vice-chair.  Added GNCPC’s Regional Coordinator Donna Arias, “We know that 44% of students had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the last 30 days.  What we really want to do is showcase that 56% of students have not had a drink of alcohol in the past 30 days.  If we can teach students that the norm is not to drink, we should be able to further reduce the percentage that is drinking. ”

Arias said area high schools that agree to participate in the youth risk behavior survey may do so at no cost because the state pays 75 percent of the expense, and GNCPC covers the remainder. Surveys will begin in mid-January and Merrimack and Amherst/Mont Vernon have already expressed interest.

The GNCPC’s two-year grant is administered by United Way of Greater Nashua. Nashua’s substance abuse prevention coalition is one of 10 in the state. Grants awarded through the coalition will represent new money for the region, and should not replace existing monies for programs.

For more information about the Request For Proposals application and GNCPC, contact its coordinator, Donna Arias, at 882-4011, or donna@gncpc.org.

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