State grant to be used to help curb underage drinking

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Thanks to a government grant, Greene County authorities will be watching field parties, college campuses and bars in an effort to curb underage drinking.

Law enforcement officers will use the $150,000 grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Missouri Division of Alcohol/Drug Abuse to look for underage drinkers in Springfield, Republic and Willard.

About $71,000 of the grant, announced Friday, will go to law enforcement, including the Willard and Republic police departments, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore said.

Much of the grant will be used to educate youth about why they shouldn't be drinking, said Melissa Haddow, director of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks.

Another $66,000 will be used in other prevention efforts, especially educating adults.

The year-long campaign will include billboards, yard signs, mailings and advertisements in areas throughout Greene County, particularly Springfield, Willard and Republic.