Drug prevention money coming to W.Va.

Several Organizations in West Virginia that address drug abuse and mental health issues will get a boost from the federal government.  Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced $733,068 in federal funding for community organizations across the state to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth in West Virginia.

The funding comes from the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant program with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“It’s clear that our communities are in need of meaningful investments in prevention efforts targeted at reducing substance abuse among our youth,” said Rockefeller.

“SAMHSA and ONDCP helped establish drug take-back day and prescriber training in our state, which are strong steps toward keeping prescription drugs and illegal substances from falling into the hands of our young ones. I’m so glad this grant funding was awarded in our state – it will help build on these initiatives that are critical to the health and well-being of our youngest West Virginians,” he added.

“In West Virginia and across this country, substance abuse has become one of the most critical problems facing our communities, our families and our children,” said Manchin.

“We have a responsibility – especially to our future generations – to combat this national drug abuse epidemic head on. I am pleased that the FDA has recently announced their plans to reschedule hydrocodone combination drugs, which are in highly addictive painkillers like Vicodin and Lortab. Every step we take to make sure these drugs don’t get into the wrong hands is a step toward curbing substance abuse. This program will add to the FDA’s recent efforts and will focus on bringing our communities together to address this serious challenge to facilitate drug prevention efforts.”

Two coalitions received new funding awards including:

• $108,222 – West Side Ward 4 Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition – Institute, W.Va.: The funding will be used by the coalition to increase efforts that aim to reduce prescription drug abuse and marijuana use among youth.
• $124,846 – Kanawha Communities That Care – Charleston, W.Va.: The funding will be used by the coalition to establish and strengthen collaboration with local entities aimed at preventing and reducing substance abuse among youth.

Four West Virginia coalitions received $125,000 awards for their ongoing efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse:

• Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition – Wheeling, W. Va.
• Advocates for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) – Weirton, W. Va.
• Morgan County Partnership, Inc. – Berkeley Springs, W. Va.
• Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition – Ripley, W. Va.