Sag Harbor Coalition Receives $625,000 Grant

After three years of working towards a grant, Sag Harbor Coalition was among the support programs to receive a $625,000 federal grant from the National Drug Control Policy.

Michael Botticelli, Director of National Drug Control Policy, announced 697 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants, totaling $86 million.

“We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce youth substance use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use drugs,” Botticelli said. “By bringing together schools, businesses, law enforcement, parent groups, and other members of the community, DFC-funded community coalitions are helping to protect youth from the devastating consequences of non- medical prescription drug use, heroin and other substance use.”

Human Understanding and Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS) based in Westhampton Beach will be the fiscal recipient and lead administrator of the funds.

The grants will provide local community coalitions funding to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol.

The Sag Harbor Coalition will be using the grant to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth. More specifically to work to address marijuana and underage alcohol and tobacco use in the Sag Harbor community.

“Our goal is to make Sag Harbor a safe and healthy environment for our youth,” said Kym, Laube, Executive Director of HUGS, Inc., speaking for the Coalition, “Prevention is a powerful tool to counteract drug use in our community, and we will use this funding to help youth in Sag Harbor make healthy choices about substance use.”