Georgia Southwestern receives $13K grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to promote alcohol awareness

AMERICUS, GA (December 4, 2023) — Georgia Southwestern State University is proud to announce the receipt of $12,608 to participate in the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP). The GOHS addresses young adult driver crashes, injuries and fatalities, and partners with colleges and universities throughout the state to implement this program. 

“The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and our partners continue to implement programs designed to save lives and promote safe driving behaviors,” Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said. “We ask everyone to help our state and nation reach the attainable goal of zero traffic deaths by driving safe speeds, always wearing a seat belt, keeping the focus on the road and not the phone, and never operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive.”

The GYAP has proven to be successful using strategies such as peer education, providing educational speakers to schools, and encouraging schools to develop creative, innovative techniques to reduce young adult crashes, injuries and fatalities in their communities.

With the grant funds, GSW iHelp Peer Educators plan to host workshops and events on alcohol awareness. The mission of iHelp Peer Educators is to encourage GSW students to make healthy, low-risk lifestyle choices by promoting low-risk drinking behaviors, and educating students, faculty and staff about alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse. The University also plans to communicate the dangers of alcohol abuse throughout the school year by email and on social media.

Programming often surrounds events such as National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week in October, Safe Spring Break Week in the spring, and summer orientation. Programs involve collaborations with health and counseling services, public safety, and residence life staff.