Shaheen Applauds Announcement of Approximately $1.5 Million in Grants to Address Youth Substance Abuse in New Hampshire

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded today’s announcement of approximately $1.5 million in federal funding for New Hampshire youth substance abuse prevention programs. The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, run by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, will distribute twelve grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions across the Granite State for preventing youth substance use. Senator Shaheen used her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to push for more DFC funding for New Hampshire.

“Substance misuse is one of the most pressing challenges to our state and a critical component to fighting the drug crisis is prevention,” said Senator Shaheen. “Far too many young people are falling victim to drugs that lead to lives of substance misuse and overdose. The new DFC funds will be used by organizations working on the ground across the Granite State to engage young people in a dialogue about substance misuse before they try drugs. Now more than ever we need resources for those on the frontlines of the opioid crisis and I will continue to push for additional funding so Granite State families have the support they need.”

Of the twelve New Hampshire grants, two are first-time awards. The new grantees are: Reality Check Inc. in Cheshire County and Haverhill Area Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition.

Continuing grants in New Hampshire were awarded to: Merrimack Safeguard; Southern Rockingham Coalition of Youth Prevention of Marijuana and Prescription Drug Abuse project; Somersworth Prevention Coalition; Raymond Coalition for Youth; Winchester’s We’ve Got Your Back Coalition; Franklin Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Task Force; Monadnock Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coalition of Keene; Nashua Prevention Coalition; Bridging the Gaps-Rochester Community Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Prevention; and All Together of Lebanon.

The DFC Support Program is the federal government’s flagship effort to support communities in preventing youth substance use through critical local partnerships. The program is uniquely structured to ensure effectiveness and sustainability, requiring all grantees to provide a dollar-for-dollar match in non-federal funds.