California Office of Traffic Safety Awards Drugged Driving Grant to the County of Monterey Health Department for Cannabis Education Program

The County of Monterey Health Department is pleased to announce that they are the recipient of a $206,065 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Public Health Cannabis Education Program. The grant will fund community educational outreach and a public awareness campaign to engage teens and young adults, inform them of the dangers of driving while under the influence of cannabis, and reduce instances of drug impaired driving.

 

"We are excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to enhance our efforts to prevent drugged driving and promote safer roadways,” said Elaine Narciso, Health Program Coordinator, County of Monterey Health Department. “With education and awareness focused on youth and young adults, we aim to reduce crashes and injuries caused by from driving while high. Our goal is to shift community norms around driving while under the influence and promote safer driving behaviors." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cannabis is the second most often substance associated with impaired driving, following alcohol. Cannabis use can slow reaction time, decrease the ability to make quick decisions, and reduce coordination, leading to poor outcomes on our roadways. 

 

Grant funds will support various activities focused on drugged driving including:

    A risk reduction social marketing campaign to encourage cannabis consumers to avoid driving while under the influence of cannabis,

    Increased drug driving awareness through distribution of print and digital materials for teens and young adults, and

    Drugged driving prevention workshops for teens to address the dangers of driving while under the influence of cannabis and/or alcohol.

 

“Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong road safety culture that prioritizes traffic safety,” OTS Acting Director Jessica Chan said. “By addressing the underlying issues associated with impaired driving, the campaign can successfully bring awareness on the dangers of driving under the influence.”

 

Grant funded activities will run through September 2025.

 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

For more information, visit https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/health/public-health/cannabis-education.