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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2008

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $375,000 IN DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS FOR CAPITAL REGION SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITIONS

Funds Will Help Combat Substance Abuse Among Youth and Expand Drug Prevention Education Programs in Fulton, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced a new Office of National Drug Control Policy grant program that will bring three grants of $125,000 in fresh federal funds to the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (ASAPP’s) Promise Coalition in Fulton County, the Rensselaer County Underage Drinking Coalition of Rensselaer County and the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention Coalition of Saratoga Springs. The money will be used to support programs that work to prevent and reduce youth drug and alcohol abuse in the Capital Region.

“These funds have the potential to save lives,” Schumer said. “I am so glad we could deliver this much-needed money to help fund the coalition’s efforts to minimize the risk of substance abuse among our youth. I will continue to fight for federal funds to help support programs that promote community safety and education."

Each Coalition was awarded $125,000 under the FY 2008 Drug Free Communities Support Program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This money will be used to prevent and reduce drug and alcohol abuse among youth in the Capital Region. Each coalition proposed programs for the funds that are tailored to their targeted communities:

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (ASAPP’s) Promise Coalition in Fulton will use its share of the grant to pass county-wide policies that will lessen youth access to alcohol and conduct social norms media campaigns on marijuana use and provide training for teachers and school staff workers on prescription drug abuse.

The Rensselaer County Underage Drinking Coalition of Rensselaer County will utilize its funds to pass a countywide social host law, create a media campaign to publicize all of the prevention and enforcement initiatives, continue a court-mandated substance abuse educational program, and educate judges on sentencing options.

The Saratoga Partnership for Prevention Coalition of Saratoga Springs will use its funds to promote school environmental change by providing support for students transitioning to high school, develop environmental interventions geared to merchants and the general public through public education and social marketing campaign including TIPS training and compliance checks, and enhance skills and provide support for youth through a media campaign and leadership program that provides education for parents and law enforcement.

The Drug Free Community (DFC) grant program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community organizations that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. This year, the 199 recipients of this grant program were selected from 419 applicants through a competitive peer review process. To qualify for matching grants, all awardees must have at least a six-month history of working together on substance abuse prevention initiatives, develop a long-term plan to reduce substance abuse, and participate in a national evaluation of the Drug-Free Communities Program.

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