The McLean County Community Coalition Receives a New Drug Free Communities Support Grant

Friday, January 15, 2010

The McLean County Community Coalition was awarded a $125,000 Drug Free Communities Support Grant Program FY 2009 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The McLean County Community Coalition [MCCC] serves McLean County, KY, a rural area with a total population of 9,938 with 2,405 youth under the age 18.
MCCC priority goals are:

1) To strengthen collaboration among communities, private nonprofit agencies, and federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community Coalitions to prevent and reduce substance abuse.

2) To reduce substance abuse among youth (and over time, among adults) by addressing the factors in McLean County that increases the risk of substance abuse, and strengthens those protective factors in a community likely to prevent youth substance abuse.

To achieve these goals MCCC will expand and strengthen the following strategies:

1) Provide Information, 2) Enhance Skills, 3) Provide Pro-Social Support, 4)Alter Access to Substance Abuse Systems or Services, 5) Changing Consequences, 6) Physical Design and 7) Modifying /Changing Policies

Anyone who wants to join the Coalition may call 270-273-0065.

This grant is a catalyst for increased citizen participation in efforts to reduce substance use among youth, and it provides community anti-drug coalitions with much-needed funds to carry out their important missions.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) directs the Drug Free Communities Support Program in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This anti-drug program provides grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions that mobilize their communities to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and inhalant abuse.

The grants support coalitions of youth; parents; media; law enforcement; school officials; faith-based organizations; fraternal organizations; State, local, and tribal government agencies; healthcare professionals; and other community representatives. The Drug Free Communities Support Program enables the coalitions to strengthen their coordination and prevention efforts, encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts, and disseminate information about effective programs.