The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board awarded nearly $765,000 in alcohol education grants to fund programs that focus on proven strategies to discourage and reduce both underage and dangerous drinking. Grants are awarded to schools, community organizations, municipalities, law enforcement organizations, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit institutions, and grant-funded initiatives have included increased police patrols, social norms campaigns, “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” campaigns, college alcohol assessment surveys, online alcohol education programs, peer training and more.

Local programs receiving grants are:

• East Stroudsburg University, $20,000, for videos showing students using strategies to refuse alcohol and reduce harm to be used on social media and websites, AlcoholEDU for all students, and transportation of students during high consumption periods as a safe way home.

• Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, $20,000 for patrols during carnival and NASCAR season, billboard and print advertising campaign.

• Schuylkill Technology Centers, $9,750, for creation and implementation of a social norms campaign driven by student input that seeks to change students’ perception about alcohol.