Georgia Southern University’s Dean of Students Office has received a nearly $10,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to educate students and combat alcohol abuse, underage drinking and impaired driving through “Safe Rides Save Lives.”

 “We are excited about this grant because it allows us to expand our prevention efforts to include the prevention of alcohol-related crashes,” said David McDermott, administrative coordinator for the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs at Georgia Southern.

Through GOHS, the Dean of Students Office will use the $9,830 grant to participate in the Georgia Young Adult Program which is designed for colleges and universities. It focuses on peer education to promote and bring awareness to highway safety issues including alcohol education, alcohol abuse prevention, impaired driving, underage drinking, safety belts, distractive driving, speeding, risk reductions and other destructive decisions.

“With this money, we will host awareness events including a DUI simulator, alcohol speakers and  safe rides promotions,” said McDermott. “We expect these activities to have a significant impact on the health and safety of our community.”

 The program’s goal is to create safer, more-healthy campus environments. It will be coordinated through the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs, a student services unit within the Dean of Students Office.

For more information on the “Safe Rides Save Lives” program, visit http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/aod.