On June 30, 2021 the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) awarded 65 grants for Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crisis (CARA) Program. The funding will enhance the efforts of current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program recipients to prevent opioid, and prescription drug use among youth ages 12-18 across the United States.
West Haven Prevention Council was one of the grant recipients and will receive $50,000 annually over the next five years to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth.
“We know that delaying substance use until after adolescence decreases the likelihood of a person developing a substance use disorder,” said ONDCP Acting Director Regina Labelle. “This funding will help support the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission to expand evidence-based prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services by providing our local partners in West Haven, CT with the resources they need to reduce youth substance use.”
“Educating our youth about the dangers of substance use is critical. Local communities are, and should be, at the forefront in the fight to prevent youth from using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs,” said Wendy Gibbons. Program Director of MPC and WHPC. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with the West Haven community and build on the progress we’ve made working with the DFC Grant.”
Coalitions are composed of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious organizations, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, the media and others working together at the local level.
For more information or to get involved in the West Haven Prevention Council email preventionwesthaven@gmail.com.
Community-Based Coalition Enhancement (CARA) Grants
The purpose of this federal grant program is to enhance the efforts of current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) recipients to prevent opioid, methamphetamine, and/or prescription drug use among youth ages 12-18 in communities throughout the United States. This program also seeks to change the culture and context regarding the acceptability of youth use and misuse of these substances.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy | WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP | @ONDCP
West Haven Prevention Council
The mission of the West Haven Prevention Council (WHPC) is to reduce underage drinking and substance use through prevention education, the support of law enforcement and the strengthening of community collaboration in West Haven and surrounding areas. For more information please visit https://preventionwesthaven.org