BRIDGEPORT, CT — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced today that Kids in Crisis, the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking & Drugs (TPAUD) and Positive Directions received a combined $1.875 million over the next five years in Drug-Free Communities federal grants to reduce youth substance abuse.

“Congratulations to Kids in Crisis, the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking & Drugs (TPAUD) and Positive Directions for being selected as recipients for $1.875 million in Drug-Free Communities federal grants,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “Funding local solutions to combat substance abuse by young people will strengthen our overall community efforts. This is an important issue for many families, and I will continue working alongside community organizations and state and local governments to reduce youth substance abuse in the 4th District and across Connecticut.”

“Positive Directions is thankful for Rep. Jim Himes strong support for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant we were awarded. Local problems require local solutions and this funding will have a positive impact for our community. We look forward to continuing our existing collaborations and welcome the community-at-large to partner with us as we continue our work towards our shared goal of a substance-free Norwalk,” said Denique Weidema-Lewis, Director of Prevention at Positive Directions.

Kids in Crisis, as part of Greenwich Prevention Council’s collaborative, was awarded a Drug-Free Communities grant in the amount of $125,000 a year for five years. They will implement a multi-strategy approach to reduce youth substance abuse. Learn more about Kids in Crisis here.

Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking & Drugs (TPAUD) received a continuation grant in the amount of $125,000 a year for five years. TPAUD will use the funds to strengthen community efforts to prevent youth substance abuse. Learn more about TPAUD here.

Positive Directions, The Center for Prevention and Counseling, was awarded X grant in the amount of $125,000 a year for five years. Positive Directions will use the grant funding to strengthen collaborative efforts across the Norwalk community to prevent and reduce Norwalk youth substance abuse. Learn more about Positive Directions here.

The Drug-Free Communities Grants Program goals include:

  • Establishing and strengthening collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse.
  • Reducing substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.