Washington – Senator Evan Bayh announced today that the Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force has been awarded a five-year, $624,745 grant from the Office of National Drug Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) to help reduce youth substance abuse.

“We have an obligation to support efforts that will help our children grow up sober, safe and smart,” Senator Bayh said. “The Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force has a strong track record of steering Hoosier teens toward healthy choices. Programs like this one play a key role in helping young people realize their full potential in life by avoiding the destructive consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse.”

The Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force takes a multifaceted approach to reducing youth substance abuse. The DFC grant, awarded as $124,949 annually over five years, will fund after-school substance abuse prevention programs and implement a social marketing campaign directed at students, grades 6 to 12. The task force also will operate a telephone “tipline” allowing community members to anonymously report drug use to law enforcement and implement an anti-alcohol taskforce in law enforcement agencies countywide.

“This funding will allow the Task Force to focus on implementing environmental strategies that will prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by youth,” said Maureen Belch, director of student assistance at the Brownsburg School Corporation. “Preventing youth from using illegal substances will enhance the community and strengthen families.” 

Senator Bayh has been a strong proponent of Senate efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs. He supported reauthorization of the Drug-Free Communities Act in 2001 and 2006 and cosponsored the Combat Meth Act, requiring that pseudoephedrine—a main ingredient in methamphetamines—be sold behind the pharmacy counter and in limited quantities.

The Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force was among 199 community organizations nationwide to receive funding under the DFC program this year through a competitive peer review process. Since 1997, the DFC program has distributed more than $560 million in grants to more than 1,000 community anti-drug coalitions.

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