U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Jahana Hayes have announced that $2.37 million in Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants will be coming to Connecticut to support seven anti-drug programs.
They said that $625,000 will go to the Greenwich Together Coalition, a second grant of $625,000 will go to the Norwich Prevention Council and a third $625,000 grant will be for the Change Collaborative of Manchester. The Coalition for a Better Wallingford is due to receive $125,000, with two more grants of $125,000 going to the Vernon ROCKS and the Norwalk Partnership. There also will be $125,000 for the Stand Together to Make a Difference Coalition of Danbury.
The funds are awarded through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for youth substance use prevention efforts in communities across the country.
“This $2.37 million in federal funding comes at a time of great urgency,” Blumenthal said. “We are facing a substance use epidemic, and we must work to protect the next generation from the destructive grip of substance use. The seven coalitions across Connecticut, supported by this funding, are working to do just that. I will continue to fight for these critical investments to support healthy communities where our youth can thrive.”
Murphy pointed out that “kids and teenagers face a lot of pressure these days from social media and their peers, and this funding will help ensure our kids have the tools they need to make good decisions.”
According to Courtney, “We need an all-hands-on deck response to address the addiction and overdose crisis, and this federal funding will support important work local coalitions are doing to prevent young people from using alcohol and drugs. Preventing early substance use goes a long way towards reducing the risk of long-term addiction, so kudos to the City of Norwich and Vernon ROCKS on securing these grants to support their ongoing prevention efforts which have already made a significant difference in their communities.”
Himes said, “Greenwich Together and The Norwalk Partnership have assembled a coalition of schools, local officials, community organizations, parents, and students to combat youth substance use — supporting and guiding children in making healthy choices. I’m thrilled these organizations will receive federal funding to further their work and look forward to seeing their positive impact.”
