ATLANTA — Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Georgia affiliate office recently announced it received a $126,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

These funds will support the efforts of law enforcement across the state, underage-drinking prevention programs focused on youth and parents, and general awareness of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving from Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

This project includes the support of law enforcement through sponsorship of a statewide Law Enforcement Recognition Event, which honors more than 500 law-enforcement officers each year for their dedication to eliminating DUI-related crashes on Georgia roads and activation around high-visibility law-enforcement initiatives such as Hands Across the Border.

In addition, this project focuses efforts on equipping parents to have ongoing and intentional conversations with their children about the dangers of underage drinking through MADD’s Power of Parents program with a focused activation around PowerTalk 21, the national day for parents to talk with their children about not drinking alcohol until 21. The project also supports Power of Youth, which empowers youth to take a stand against underage drinking, and influence their peers.

“The support of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety enables MADD to expand lifesaving and dynamic mission programs across the state of Georgia and continue the vital support of law-enforcement efforts to make our roadways safer and protect our families,” said Debbie Day, MADD Georgia’s state executive director.