WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Joseph I. Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal, along with Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Joe Courtney, and Jim Himes, announced four federal grant awards to community coalitions in Connecticut as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program. The DFC Program is designed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to reduce youth substance use. The following community coalitions have been awarded $125,000:
- Local Prevention Council serving East Haddam, CT
- Enfield Together Coalition serving Enfield, CT
- Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Council serving Durham, CT and Middlefield, CT
- Bridgeport United Coalition serving Bridgeport, CT
"When our children abuse drugs and alcohol, it corrupts their future and corrodes our communities," Senator Lieberman said. "It is our local communities that are best equipped to instill in our young people the values of a life without substance use, and these grants will help the innovative community coalitions in Connecticut do just that."
“These grants provide critical support to community efforts to fight and stop substance abuse at the most meaningful and powerful level,” Blumenthal said. “Battling addiction and abuse is a federal obligation and these grants help fulfill it, enabling and empowering local leaders to reach young people.”
“The future of America is largely dependent on the ability of young people to make decisions that will help keep them healthy and safe,” DeLauro said. “The Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Council does great work with youth in those two communities, making sure they stay drug free. I am proud to have supported their application for this grant and will continue to advocate for them in the future.”
“The Local Prevention Council and Enfield Together Coalition do tremendous work reducing youth substance abuse and educating young people about the dangers of drug use,” said Congressman Courtney. “These organizations secured this competitive funding by demonstrating a track record of success, and by outlining a plan for continued results in the future. This is good news for our communities and our young people.”
“As a father of two young girls, I believe the most important investment we can make is in the health and well-being of our children, and I understand how critical it is to prevent substance abuse among the younger population,” said Congressman Himes. “This important funding will help these organizations promote good habits among our nation’s children, and I look forward to working with the Bridgeport United Coalition to ensure a healthy, successful next generation.”
The four new grantees join nineteen community organizations throughout Connecticut that received DFC continuation grants for fiscal year 2012. DFC is a matching Federal grant, and each community will provide a minimum of a one-to-one match in local funding.
The new DFC grantee community coalitions aim to: 1) establish and strengthen collaboration among its partner organizations in support of the community’s effort to prevent and reduce substance use; 2) reduce substance abuse among youth in the community and over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the issues in the community that increase the risk of substance abuse.