Law enforcement receives grant for drug and suicide prevention campaign

The Wyoming Department of Health's Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division recently announced that they have awarded the Cheyenne Police Department with a drug prevention grant, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.

Officials from the department told the news source that law enforcement department will receive $470,168 to fund a program designed to prevent underage drinking and suicide.

The police department has partnered with local drug and suicide prevention agencies such as the Cheyenne-Laramie Meth Initiative, Stop Suicide Cheyenne, Grace for 2 Brothers as well as area schools. Law enforcement officials said the funding will pay for the "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" campaign, which is designed to educate adults about the legal and safety risks of providing alcohol to minors.

The monies will also help fund overtime for officers to perform "party patrols" and enforce the laws in places where minors are most likely using alcohol. Also, the grant will focus on suicide prevention with an awareness campaign, conference and four workshops throughout the summer.

A 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey, nearly 72 percent of high school seniors reportedly consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime.