CPASA awarded $125,000 grant

PRINCETON — A local community organization will receive a $125,000 national grant to fight drug abuse among area youth.

Dawn Conerton, chairman of the Bureau/Putnam County Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA) Coalition, announced the Drug Free Communities grant on Thursday and spoke on the importance of the coalition’s mission.

“Efforts to keep our youth drug free are critical to healthy communities here in Bureau and Putnam,” Conerton said. “The Drug Free Communities Program recognizes the great potential of CPASA to help save lives of youth. This new funding will allow CPASA to mobilize and organize their community to prevent and reduce substance abuse.”

Gil Kerlikowski, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), announced the awarding of $21 million in new Drug Free Communities (DFC) grants to 161 communities across the country, including the $125,000 grant to the Bureau/Putnam CPASA Coalition.

“Evidence shows that communities receiving DFC funding have lower instances of youth using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana,” Kerlilowski said. “I commend the coalitions like CPASA, who work tirelessly to prevent and reduce youth drug use across the nation with the aid of DFC grants.”

The local CPASA group was chosen from 417 applicants through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. To qualify for matching grants, all recipients must have at least a six-month history of working together on substance abuse reduction initiatives, have representation from 12 specific sectors of the community, develop a long-term plan to reduce substance abuse, and participate in the national evaluation of the DFC program.

The DFC program is directed by the ONDCP in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The DFC program provides grants to community coalitions that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. Coalitions are to be comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and the media.

“The Drug Free Communities Support Program bolsters individuals and groups across the nation that are improving their communities by preventing drug abuse,” SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick said. “SAMHSA is honored to play a role in this innovative program, which has done so much to promote well-being, hope and feelings of empowerment among so many young people.”