Of that figure it is estimated that a very high percentage of those involved were under the age of 21 years. Underage drinking has always been present in the lives of adolescents, particularly when they reach the age where they can drive. Many may not actually participate in drinking, but they encounter or know of others who do. Sheriff Tuggle has furthered his commitment to assist Clayton County schools, by making officers available to each middle school to present a program about the problems associated with underage drinking. The program avoids the traditional lecture style of approach, which is seen as ineffective with today's students.
Educators now teach children to question and use a scientific approach to finding answers.
As with other programs aimed at benefitting the community, Sheriff Tuggle chose to fund the program with monies confiscated from local drug dealers. Instructors for the programs, all volunteers from within the ranks of the Sheriff's Office, are provided instruction in how to conduct the training programs. Project SAVE has been selected as the best means available to do that. It is Sheriff Tuggle's hope that problems associated with illegal underage drinking and driving in our county are reduced by presenting the SAVE program.