Agency gets $125K to reduce substance abuse

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — The nonprofit Prevention First agency will be receiving $125,000 in Drug-Free Communities Federal grant monies for their Prevention Coalition.

Prevention First, one of only 199 new grant recipients across the country, works to prevent and reduce drug and alcohol abuse among the youth.

"Efforts to keep our youth drug-free are critical to health communities in Monmouth County," said Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, executive director of Prevention First.

"The Drug-Free Communities Program recognizes the great potential of Prevention First to help save kids' lives," she said, adding, "This new funding will allow Prevention First to mobilize and organize the communities of Long Branch and Asbury Park in the effort to prevent and reduce substance abuse."

John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy and President George Bush's "Drug Czar," said, "Today, 860,000 fewer youths are using drugs than in 2001.

"Together, as a nation, we have made significant progress in our efforts against substance abuse," he said. "Coalitions like Prevention First are important partners in pushing back against the harms of drug use."

The Drug-Free Communities program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community organizations that facilitated citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. The 199 new grantees were selected from 419 applicants through a competitive peer review process.

To qualify for matching grants, awardees participated in a national evaluation of the Drug-Free Communities Program, have a history of at least six months of working together on substance abuse prevention initiatives and develop a longterm plan to reduce substance abuse.

"The Drug-Free Communities program helps communities get the hard work of prevention done," said Prevention First Director of Adolescent Services Marilyn D. Kinelski, who will be managing the grant.

"By connecting local programs, systems and funding streams through these new grants, the full force of the community will be brought to bear on preventing drug abuse and promoting healthy, productive lives," she said.

For further information about Prevention First, call Michelle Cicalese at 732- 663-1800, ext. 219, or visit www.preventionfirst.net.

Prevention First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency and Registered New Jersey Professional Development Provider, providing students, parents and professionals with research-based prevention education programs to help children successfully handle difficult everyday situations as well as extraordinary challenges such as violence and substance abuse.