Honolulu has been awarded $2.3 million from the state Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to start a countywide program to reduce and prevent underage drinking.

The award is the second phase of a statewide project funded by a grant from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. This grant provides $10.4 million to be distributed by the state to all four counties over five years.
That funding is being used by the city to assess community needs and design a strategic plane.
The city said it will use the second-phase funding to:
• Request proposals from community organizations that provide direct services to youth.
• Mobilize the community to take action against policies and attitudes that help youth gain access to alcohol.
• Provide direct services through the city’s Youth Services Center.
• Educate retailers and parents about the consequences of providing alcohol to minors.
• Work with police and the liquor commission to increase enforcement of underage drinking laws.