$1.2 million will help Kauai fight drinking by minors

Kauai County's Anti-Drug Office has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to help fund underage drinking prevention programs. The funding is part of a 2006 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant. It is administered by the state Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. says research shows young people are starting to consume alcohol at a younger age, so more needs to be done. Anti-Drug Coordinator Theresa Koki says the grant will allow financial support for programs working to resolve the problem of underage drinking. Koki says program providers will be able to apply for grant money soon.