Drug Free Coalition awarded $625K federal grant

WASHINGTON - Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), has announced $19.8 million in new Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants to 147 communities and 19 new DFC Mentoring grants across the country.

The awards are in addition to the $59.4 million in continuation grants simultaneously released to 473 currently funded DFC coalitions and 4 DFC Mentoring continuation coalitions.

The Drug Free Coalition of Hall County was one of the grant recipients and will receive $625,000 in DFC grant funds to involve and engage the local community in preventing substance use among youth.

The DFC Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over 5 years to community coalitions that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. Coalitions are composed of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, the media, and others working together at the local level.

The Drug Free Coalition of Hall County is one of three Georgia DFCs awarded DFC Support Program grants. Hall County Drug Free Coalition and Troup County Prevention Coalition each received their second five-year grants to continue prevention initiatives begun in 2008, when awarded their first five-year DFC grant. The Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. in Atlanta was awarded their first five-year grant. Four Georgia DFCs were awarded continuation grants; two of them for year ten, their last year DFC funding and one for year 5, the last year of a first five-year grant. The fourth grantee is beginning year seven.

"We are not powerless against the challenge of drug use among young people here in Hall County," said JP Banks, Drug Free Coalition of Hall County Director. "Research shows that prevention is the most effective tool we have to reduce the terrible consequences associated with drug use among young people. This new funding will allow the Drug Free Coalition of Hall County to continue placing more young people on the path toward success and enabling them to live healthier and safer lives."

Banks added based upon evaluation of local substance abuse data, the Coalition will continue to specifically work to reduce underage drinking of alcohol, marijuana usage, and prescription drug abuse (opiates and others medications commonly abused).

For more information about the Office of National Drug Control Policy or the Drug Free Communities Support Program, visit: www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP.

For further information about the Drug Free Coalition of Hall County contact JP Banks at 770-534-1080 x277 or [email protected].