U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) today announced that the McDowell County FACES (Families, Agencies, Children Enhancing Services) Program will receive $75,000 from the Drug Free Communities Support (DFC) Program  to continue community youth substance abuse prevention programs.

"The key to curbing drug, alcohol, and tobacco use is to nip it in the bud before it begins," Rahall said.  "This money will help us reach out to the youth of McDowell County, reduce the lure of drugs, and expand southern West Virginia’s substance abuse prevention network."

As part of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the DFC Program grants awards of up to $500,000 over five-year periods to multi-disciplinary community coalitions across the country dedicated to preventing substance abuse in our Nation's youth.  This funding will enable McDowell County FACES to increase and strengthen their collaboration with health care service providers, law-enforcement and government agencies, and members of the faith and business communities to reduce substance abuse among youth.  This is McDowell County FACES' fourth year to receive DFC funding.
   
Rahall added, "I am aware of the toll that drug abuse can take on our youth.  By preventing substance abuse in our children early on, we can spare our hard-working families heartache down the road."