WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, has announced $7.9 million in new Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants to 60 communities and six new DFC Mentoring grants across the country. Healthy Androscoggin, serving Androscoggin County, will receive $125,000 in DFC grant funds to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth.

The DFC Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community coalitions that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. Coalitions are composed of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, the media and others working together at the local level.

“America’s success in the 21st century depends in part on our ability to help young people make decisions that will keep them healthy and safe,” said Kerlikowske. “We congratulate this coalition on its work to raise a generation of young people equipped to remain drug free and ready to prosper in school, in their communities and in the workplace. While law enforcement efforts will always serve a vital role in keeping our communities safe, we know that stopping drug use before it ever begins is always the smartest and most cost-effective way to reduce drug use and its consequences.”

“Efforts to keep our youth drug-free are critical to healthy and safe communities here in Androscoggin County.” said Scott Gagnon, Drug Free Communities project coordinator. “The Drug-Free Communities Support Program recognizes the great potential of Healthy Androscoggin to help save young people’s lives. This new funding will allow Healthy Androscoggin to mobilize and organize the community to prevent youth substance use.”

Healthy Androscoggin will specifically work to address four priority areas. Those priorities are underage drinking, youth marijuana use, youth tobacco use and the abuse of prescription drugs amongst youth and young adults.