Connecticut Gets $11.5 Million Over 5 Years to Fight Underage Drinking

Connecticut is receiving $11.5 million in federal funds to combat underage drinking.

The state will receive $2.3 million in each of the next five years. It’s one of four states, including Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee, to receive the money from the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

The money will be spent on community coalitions across the state that will use various prevention techniques to reduce the use of alcohol by teens. The University of Connecticut Health Center will evaluate the effort and track any progress.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell says the state’s prevention efforts are already strong and that this grant represents a reward for Connecticut’s past success.