Wilson County 4-H has been awarded a $8,000 grant from the Wilson County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to continue to educate young people on alcohol and substance abuse prevention.
4-H offers healthy living programs and serves those 5-18 years old. The Wilson County 4-H office will be implementing programs to educate young people and adults on underage drinking, drinking and driving, illegal substance abuse and communication skills in families on such sensitive topics.
In 2017-18, Wilson County 4-H has reached thousands of people to discuss underage drinking prevention. The signature 4-H program, “Your Life—Your Health,” can be taught in classrooms, in meetings or assemblies. Events are being planned to reach high school students across the county in 2018-19.
The Wilson County ABC Board includes Chairman Paul Farris, Hadie Horne and Phil Batts.
“We care about our children in Wilson County,” said Farris. “I believe that if we can save one life, we can make a big difference.” Farris also served as past president of the N.C. Association of ABC Boards. His main objective is to fight underage drinking.
Larry Etheridge, General Manager of the ABC Board, said the Board’s primary function is to control the sale of spirituous liquor, and part of that work is to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage youth. Stopping underage drinking involves educating youth about how underage alcohol use can negatively affect their lives.
Those interested in participating in any of the programs 4-H will be offering can contact local 4-H agents Jessica Manning or Kenyatta Dixon at 252-237-0113.