Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-3), John Larson (D-1), and Joe Courtney (D-2) announced $700,000 in Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to provide local community coalitions in Bristol, Guilford, New London, Chester, Deep River, Essex, Putnam and Southington with funding to help prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol.

“Youth substance abuse is ravaging communities across Connecticut--- leaving deaths and heartbroken families in its wake. Community coalitions are on the front line of this fight, marshalling resources and coordinating local efforts to combat prescription drug, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol abuse. These federal funds are an endorsement of the impact these coalitions have had in building safe and healthy environments for all young people,” said Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro, Larson, and Courtney.

The breakdown of the grant recipients is below:

  • Bristol Prevention Coalition for a Drug-Free Community will receive $125,000 in new funding
  • Developmental Assets for Youth Coalition in Guilford will receive $125,000 in new funding
  • New London Community and Campus Coalition will receive $125,000 in new funding
  • Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, serving Chester, Deep River, and Essex, will receive $125,000 in new funding
  • Putnam PRIDE will receive $75,000 in continuation funding
  • Southington’s Town Wide Effort to Promote Success Coalition will receive $125,000 in continuation funding

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program, created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, is the Nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use.  Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. This year, the ONDCP announced 697 DFC Support Program grants nationwide, totaling $86 million.