ARC Announces Winners of Substance Abuse Prevention Grants Competition January 2009

WASHINGTON, January 27, 2009—The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced this week nine winners of its substance abuse prevention grant competition. A total of $296,800 was awarded to nonprofit groups in Appalachia for projects addressing substance abuse issues. Five of the winners are from the state of Kentucky; the four others are from Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Tennessee.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope underscored the Commission's commitment to preventing and combating substance abuse: "At ARC we are committed not only to understanding the economic development problems facing the Region; we are also committed to doing something about them. Those problems include substance abuse, which can sap the quality of the Region's labor force. These grants are an important step in assisting communities in improving their intervention and service programs dealing with illegal drugs and prescription drug abuse."

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky welcomed the grants. "The residents of southern and eastern Kentucky face the enormous challenge of fighting drugs within their communities, which is why I founded Operation UNITE in an effort to shield our children and our communities from the dangers that exist. Investing in drug prevention and education is essential to clean up our streets, invest in our communities, and protect our children. By working together, we can tackle the challenges that grip southeastern Kentucky and offer alternatives to those who are grappling with addiction."

Grants were awarded to:

• The Charleston Area Medical Center Health Education and Research Institute (West Virginia), to reduce drug use and addiction during pregnancy and at time of delivery.
• Morgan Behavioral Health Choices (Ohio), to prevent early use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by children and adolescents.
• The People Encouraging People Coalition (Kentucky), to provide skills and crafts training for at-risk and addicted youth.
• The Coalition on Appalachian Substance Abuse Policy (Tennessee), to create a regional clearinghouse of information on substance use health issues in Appalachia.
• The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, to train new drug and alcohol addiction counselors.
• Kentucky River Community Care, to educate health-care providers on prescription drug diversion and abuse.
• The Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, to help reduce substance abuse through coordination of community education and mini-grants.
• The Steuben County Department of Community Services (New York), to overcome service gaps in addiction assessment and treatment for incarcerated individuals.
• The Rowan County UNITE Coalition (Kentucky), to implement three community substance prevention and education programs.