Allamakee County residents to benefit from substance abuse prevention grant

Allamakee County has been selected by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to participate in a $10.5 million federal grant to reduce binge drinking and underage drinking, and the problems associated with both.
The Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Allamakee County was among 23 counties identified by IDPH as “highest need” in regards to underage alcohol use and adult binge drinking.
Maxine Grotegut of Waukon has accepted the position as the Allamakee County SPF SIG Coordinator. She will work closely with a contingent of county stakeholders and a five-person local epidemiological workgroup, which consists of Barb Winters, Jean Bossom, Maryn Olson, Stacie Schroeder and Lissa Blake. “This will be a great resource for our county,” said Grotegut.
“Alcohol is the substance most frequently used by adults and youth in Iowa and across the nation,” added Julie Hibben, State SPF SIG Project Director. “Allamakee County’s participation will not only benefit its residents directly, but will also help increase the health and safety of all Iowans.”
According to data from IDPH, nearly 28 percent of Iowans 12 years of age and older had consumed more than five drinks of alcohol in one sitting during the past month. This is significantly higher than the national rate of 23 percent. In addition, 36 percent of Iowans felt that five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week was a great risk. The Iowa risk perception rate was 6.5 percent lower than the national rate of 42 percent, suggesting that alcohol use is not deemed to be as high of a risk by Iowans as it is by other Americans.

PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE
One of Grotegut’s activities as County SPF SIG Coordinator will be to help educate local community and civic groups about the grant and its components. The local coalition is also seeking volunteers who are interested in assisting with the effort.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the project can contact Grotegut at 563-568-2204 or mgrotegut@co.allamakee.ia.us.
For more information on the Iowa Strategic Plan for the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant, visit www.myctb.org/wst/iowaspfsig.