The Students Against Destructive Decisions chapters in Hall and Gainesville City High Schools are among the high schools that have been awarded a grant to help prevent teenagers from drinking and getting behind the wheel.

Pioneer Regional Educational Service Agency in Cleveland received a $62,500 grant for Students Against Destructive Decisions from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

The grant has been awarded to Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Gainesville, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Union and White county school systems.

"I hope we can educate students about the dangers of alcohol use and operating a motor vehicle and what can happen to them," Randall Townley, Pioneer RESA regional coordinator, said.

The grant will go to enhance existing SADD chapters or to allow a school to start a new chapter.

Townley said all of the high schools in Gainesville and Hall County will receive the money from the grant to use for SADD purposes.

Each club will get $2,000 so long as it meets certain requirements.

The clubs must use the funds to do what they can to educate students about the dangers of drunk driving.

Additional funds could be available to those clubs wishing to go to the SADD conference.