Michael Botticelli, acting director of the Office National Drug Control Policy, announced 680 Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants, totaling $84 million, to communities across the country. The grants will provide local communities funding to prevent youth substance use and support the Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy, which treats the nation’s drug problem through a balanced public health and safety approach. The GRAAB Coalition from Cleveland was one of the grant recipients and will receive $125,000 in DFC grant funds to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth, said officials.
“Last week, President Obama designated October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month because we know the best way to reduce youth drug use is to stop it from ever beginning,” said Acting Director Botticelli. “Today, I congratulate prevention advocates for their continuing hard work and dedication to young people many of whom are struggling with peer pressure and other challenges in today’s society.”
“We are not powerless against the challenge of drug use among young people here in the Cleveland/Bradley County community,” said Tanya Southerland, executive director of the GRAAB Coalition. “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 GRAAB (Going Respectfully Against Addictive Behaviors) Coalition to help place more young people on the path toward success and enable them to live healthier and safer lives.”
“Drug-free coalitions across the nation are mobilizing to mount effective, coordinated prevention programs against substance use, especially among youth,” said Pamela S. Hyde, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services. “SAMHSA is honored to partner with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in building these critically important community coalitions.”
The GRAAB Coalition will continue their work to address the reduction of prescription medication, over the counter medication abuse and the abuse of inhalants with in the Cleveland/Bradley County community.
The Drug-Free Communities Support Program is directed by ONDCP in partnership with HHS’s SAMHSA. The DFC Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community coalitions that facilitate youth and adult participation at the community level in local youth drug use prevention efforts. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and media.
The mission of the GRAAB Coalition is to bring together concerned individuals, members of the community, and service providers to facilitate lowering illicit and addictive use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Bradley County by providing effective education, recovery, and support for youth, families, and the community.
GRAAB is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all donations are tax-deductible. For more information on the GRAAB Coalition, call 472-5800 or email: info@graabcoalition.