Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), today announced $12.3 million in new Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grants to 87 communities and 20 new DFC Mentoring grants across the country. The awards announced today are in addition to the nearly $76 million in Continuation grants simultaneously released to 607 currently funded DFC coalitions and twelve DFC Mentoring Continuation coalitions. These grants provide community coalitions needed support to prevent and reduce youth substance use.
"The most powerful tool we have to address our Nation's drug problem is preventing it before it even begins," said Director Kerlikowske. "Research shows that every dollar invested in drug education and prevention programs saves up to ten dollars in costs related to treatment for substance use. President Obama understands how the hard work of local community leaders, youth, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, faith-based leaders, law enforcement officials, and others can strengthen communities and save kids' lives."
"The Drug-Free Communities Support Program is one of the key elements in our nation's efforts to prevent and reduce substance abuse," said Pamela S. Hyde, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "It is effective in large part because it focuses on community-based approaches to promoting safe and healthy environments where families can raise children free from the dangers and destruction of substance abuse."
The 2011 competition showed a dramatic increase in coalitions serving urban areas (74% of new competing awards) and the program reflects a near balance in urban/rural grants with 43% of total grants serving urban populations and 47% serving rural. For 2011, 56 grants report serving Native American/American Indian populations, representing eight percent of the total DFC awards.
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