Rep. Sherrill Announces Four Drug-Free Communities Grants in NJ-11

Montclair State University, Borough of Pompton Lakes, Morris County Prevention is Key, and Madison Area YMCA are four of 150 new grants for the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program

Washington, DC — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced today that Montclair State University, the Borough of Pompton Lakes, Morris County Prevention is Key, and Madison Area YMCA are receiving four of 150 new grants for the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. The DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.

“I am proud of the work that community-based coalitions in our district are doing to stop substance use among young people before it starts,” said Congresswoman Sherrill. “Prevention is a powerful tool to counteract drug use. These federal grants will help continue the incredible work these organizations are doing to meet the local prevention needs in our community.”

“Pompton Lakes is thrilled to receive the second cycle of federal funding for our municipal alliance program,” said Michael Serra, Mayor of Pompton Lakes. “Our alliance works very hard in educating our children on the dangers of drugs, vaping, and alcohol addiction. No communities are spared from addiction.”

“The Madison Chatham Coalition is grateful for the opportunity to continue to prevent and reduce youth substance use in Madison and Chatham thanks to the renewed funding of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grant,” said Allison Bardon, Madison Chatham Coalition Coordinator. “It is because of this grant that the Coalition can continue to engage community members and empower youth to make healthy choices, free from drugs and alcohol.”

Representative Sherrill is a member of the bipartisan Freshmen Working Group on Addiction and leading on the issue of opioid addiction in the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Sherrill is a lead sponsor of the State Opioid Response Grant Reauthorization Act of 2019 to authorize $5 billion to extend the State Opioid Response Grant program. The money distributed through these grants has helped to provide additional treatment beds, expand treatment and recovery options, bridge gaps identified in systems of care, support robust prevention campaigns, among other actions taken by the states to address the opioid epidemic.

According to White House ONDCP:

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, is the Nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the DFC Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community coalitions that facilitate youth and adult participation at the community level in local youth drug use prevention efforts.

Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local drug problems. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, and media.

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