The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports Audubon County was among 23 counties in Iowa, selected to participate in a $10.5 million federal grant to reduce binge drinking and underage drinking, and the problems associated with both. Ringgold, Monona, Sac and Woodbury Counties in western Iowa were included on the list as being identified as “highest need,” with regard to underage alcohol use, and youth and adult binge drinking.

In February, 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) approved Iowa’s plan for the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG), allowing IDPH to implement a county selection process.

Julie Hibben, the project director for the Iowa SPF SIG, says “The counties chosen to participate in this initiative will serve at least 30,000 Iowans and the state as a whole will benefit from the increased 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.