Town of Johnston, Tri-Town Community Action Announce $750K Drug Abuse Prevention Grant

JOHNSTON, RI — The Hon. Joseph M. Polisena and the Town of Johnston, in partnership with Tri-Town Community Action Agency and the Johnston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, announce the formal acceptance of a $750,000 grant provided by the State of Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals [BHDDH].

“I am pleased to stand with the Coalition in accepting this grant and helping to combat the scourge of drug abuse in our community,” Mayor Polisena said. “Until now, the Coalition’s members have given their time, knowledge, and efforts — but have lacked needed funding. Today, with my signature on the resolution approved by the Johnston Town Council, we formally and forcefully respond to that need.”

Tri-Town CEO Joseph DeSantis explained that the grant will allow the local organization to expand its outreach to the town’s 1,500 middle and high school students.

“Our work to warn youth about the dangers of marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drug misuse will be getting a much-needed boost,” DeSantis explained, noting that the five-year grant is a significant increase from the Coalition’s current annual budget of about $30,000. “These resources will further improve the impact of our work and, hopefully, prevent the spread of drug abuse as these young people grow up.”

Under the terms of the grant, the Town of Johnston is the official government entity accepting the funds, which are then provided to Tri-Town and the Coalition in the form of an annual disbursement. Tri-Town serves as the administrating agency for the grant, overseeing the implementation of the drug abuse program as outlined in the grant application.

Among the tasks set out in the grant are:

• Identifying factors that lead to drug and alcohol use among young people;
• Developing a strategic plan with community stakeholders;
• Creating an implementation plan that explains how the funds will be used to reach the target audience; and
• Evaluating the results of the program.

“Having worked as a nurse, I have seen first-hand the negative impacts of drug abuse — and I am proud to take this very necessary and meaningful step in protecting the children and young adults of Johnston,” said Mayor Polisena.