Drug Commission Awarded Drug Free Community Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 31, 2006

KNOXVILLE, TN - Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) announced today that Knoxville will receive $500,000 over five years in Drug Free Community (DFC) Federal grant dollars for the Metropolitan Drug Commission.  The Commission is one of only 107 new grant recipients across the Country and the only recipient in the State of Tennessee.

John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and President Bush's "Drug Czar," said, "Today, 700,000 fewer youths are using drugs than in 2001.  Together, as a Nation, we have made significant progress in our efforts against substance abuse.  Federal funding of programs like the Metropolitan Drug Commission help us leverage that progress with initiatives that are tailored to the local community's needs."

The DFC program provides grants of up to $500,000 over five years to community organizations that serve as catalysts for citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts.  The 107 new grantees were selected from 353 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.

The Metropolitan Drug Commission will also receive a grant of $75,000 a year for 2 years through the DFC Support Mentoring Program.  The Commission will mentor Blount County Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team and the Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition.  This grant is one of 17 new awards by the DFC to groups that have demonstrated superior maturity and leadership to help grow new drug-free community coalitions.

"Anti-drug efforts are critical to healthy communities here in Tennessee," said Congressman Duncan.  "The Drug Free Communities Program recognizes the hard work and dedication of the Metropolitan Drug Commission.  This new funding will allow the Commission to expand their efforts.  They will work to prevent and reduce substance abuse among the people of East Tennessee."