Local Youth Substance Abuse Organizations Receive Federal Funding

Eight local organizations will receive a total of $1 million in new and continuation federal grants for youth anti-substance abuse initiatives through the Office of National Drug Control Policy Drug-Free Communities Program. Rep. Nita Lowey, a Democrat representing Rockland and Westchester, made the announcement recently.

“Our children deserve access to resources that guide them toward a happy, healthy life free of harmful substances,” Lowey said. “These Drug Free Communities grants will help youth learn, grow, and thrive without alcohol and drug abuse. This is particularly important at a time when youth and teen tobacco use and vaping are rising, and the opioid crisis continues to impact communities across the nation.”

In Lowey’s 17th Congressional District, each grantee will receive a $125,000 annual award. Seven grantees are in the middle of their first or second five-year funding cycle. The eighth grantee, Irvington, is in the first year of its second five-year funding cycle, so it is considered a new grant:

• Village of Irvington, Irvington About Safe Kids Community Advisory Board

Continuation grantees in the 17th Congressional District are:

• Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District, Blind Brook Community Coalition
• Town of New Castle, Coalition for Youth, Chappaqua
• Village of Dobbs Ferry, Dobbs Ferry Youth Services Council
• Village of Pleasantville, Pleasantville STRONG (Safe Teens, Real Opportunities, New Goals)
• North Rockland Central School District, Community-Drug Prevention Awareness
• Our Community Against Drug Abuse, OCADA, Inc., (Rockland)
• Village/Town of Mount Kisco, Mount Kisco Partners in Prevention

The Office of National Drug Control Policy Drug-Free Communities Program is designed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to prevent youth substance use, based on the premise that local problems need local solutions.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.