The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is expanding its substance abuse prevention programs.
DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health will extend its outreach to adults and adolescents by carrying out a number of programs aiming to reduce drinking and driving.
One program, called the “B4 I Drive Campaign,” will partner with schools to educate teenagers on the consequences of underage drinking and driving by using tools, such as simulations to show what it looks like to drink and drive.
DHSS received a $10 million grant in October to fund its substance abuse prevention efforts focused on Delaware’s youth population. According to the University of Delaware, 35 percent of 11th graders and 14 percent of eighth graders in Delaware reported using alcohol at least once a month in 2013.
DHSS substance abuse prevention programs are also coordinated with the department of health’s Help Is Here Campaign to provide addiction treatment and recovery resources online at HelpishereDE.com.
The expanded programs will initiate this month and will continue through 2015.
