BARRINGTON — The East Bay Regional Coalition, through its BAY Team, was recently awarded a five-year grant from the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH).

The Partnerships for Success grant (PFS) will provide the region with $159,000 per year for an anticipated to "expand the age range and evidence-based prevention programming for alcohol and cannabis use amongst 18-25 year olds."

The funds are particularly timely, now that cannabis use for adults has been legalized in the state. The East Bay was chosen as one of the four regions in the state with the highest proportion of young adults with hazardous use of alcohol and cannabis, according to the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey. Evidence-based programming will be implemented by EBRC in East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol.

Additionally, the grant offers the opportunity to "build capacity to develop and pilot at least one intervention designed to reduce the disparate prevalence of problem alcohol and marijuana use experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young adults."

As part of the initiative, the East Bay Regional Coalition's partnership with Roger Williams University will be enhanced to focus on young adults in the college setting, where there is already strong institutional policy in place. In addition to alternative and educational strategies, enforcement-based strategies will ensure that policies related to cannabis sales in the four communities parallel those of alcohol and tobacco.

For more information on any EBRC programs call 401-247-1900 or visit www.riprevention.org.