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

AMERICUS, GA (January 3, 2023) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is proud to announce the receipt of $12,595.60 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 is working with all of our highway safety partners to reverse the increase in traffic deaths we have seen in the United States in the last two years, and the goal of this project is to prevent crashes and save lives on our roads,” said Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “We ask everyone to join the mission of saving lives on our roads by driving the speed limit, wearing your seat belt, staying off the phone when driving, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

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. GSW 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 orientation. Programs involve collaborations with the offices of Student Health and Counseling Services, Public Safety, and Residence Life.

The grant runs Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023. GSW student Kerrison Whitney is the grant coordinator and staff member Angie Christmas is the GOHS agency administrator as well as iHelp Peer Educators advisor. For more information, contact angie.christmas@gsw.edu.