DA’s office offers funds for Grafton High post-graduation

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is helping fund a safe post-graduation event for the Grafton High School Parent Connection this year thanks to his annual grant program.

This year, Early’s office awarded a total of $25,000 in grants to 18 different schools across Worcester County to support programming that helps keep students from drinking and driving after celebratory events like prom and graduation, preventing tragedies before they happen.

“This time of year should be a celebration for our students and their families,” Early said. “These celebrations can turn into tragedies in the blink of an eye when drinking and driving is involved. These programs help keep kids safe while they have fun and celebrate rituals of high school life.”

Early and his Community Outreach Team also offer presentations about the dangers of mixing drugs and alcohol, social host liability awareness for parents, and distracted driving in order to promote safety.

The funding for the grants Early is providing to high schools across the county is made possible through the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance Drunk Driving Trust Fund, which is a state grant that provides support services and advocacy to victims, witnesses, and family members impacted by drunk and drugged driving crashes.