ND HHS awarded grant to help prevent underage drinking

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BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been awarded a Partnership for Success grant, which will provide a massive boost of funding to help prevent underage drinking in North Dakota.

Underage drinking rates have decreased in recent years — but according to the 2023 North Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey, nearly 20% of ND high school students reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. Alcohol consumption during adolescence can have lasting effects on brain development, and impacts problem-solving skills, academic performance, and mental health as well as long-term developmental issues.

As stated in the 2022 North Dakota Community Readiness Survey, 93% of ND residents believe youth alcohol use is a problem in their communities. The new grant, which comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is also grounded in the Strategic Prevention Framework, which is designed to help promote data-driven, evidence-based programs in communities.

“Prevention is a vital part of the behavioral health continuum of care,” said Laura Anderson, policy director of the HHS Behavioral Health Division. “We are excited for the new opportunities this grant will bring to support substance use prevention in collaboration with local communities.”

Under the grant plan, ND HHS will receive $1.25 million annually for up to five years. The Behavioral Health Division plans to distribute this funding across five local health public units to focus on underage drinking prevention for at-risk populations — including college students, active-duty military members and their families, and children of parents with substance use or mental health challenges. The grant awards range from $650,000 to $1.15 million per unit, and will be distributed through September 30, 2028.

The local public health units that will receive money include the following:

First District Health Unit, Minot
Upper Missouri District Health Unit, Williston
Richland County Health Department, Wahpeton
Lake Region District Health Unit, Devils Lake
Grand Forks Public Health Unit

“The Upper Missouri District Health Unit, in partnership with the McKenzie County Community Coalition, is ecstatic to receive our second round of Partnership for Success funding,” said Miranda Samuelson, prevention specialist and mental health coordinator for the unit. “This grant allows us to address underage drinking prevention gaps and makes us more competitive for future funding opportunities.”

To learn more about prevention efforts in North Dakota, visit this page on the Department of Health and Human Services website.