WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced that the Weymouth Youth Coalition and Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative will be receiving $100,000 each as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug Free Communities Support Program.

“The most effective substance abuse prevention initiatives are community based and the federal government must do more to support these grassroots efforts,” said Delahunt. “I want to commend the coalitions in Plymouth and Weymouth for their success in securing these funds and for the programs they’ve established on the South Shore.”

The Drug Free Communities Support Program offers grants of up to $500,000 over five years to community organizations that help local drug prevention efforts. These local partnerships are comprised of community leaders, parents, religious and business professionals and organizations and law enforcement.

As continuation grant recipients, both the Weymouth Youth Coalition and Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative have met the necessary program and statutory requirements to receive continuation funding.

“The Drug Free Communities Support Program grant has enabled us to implement a comprehensive substance abuse prevention plan with a special emphasis on youth.   Funding has enhanced our ability to support youth leadership development, educate alcohol servers and sellers on best practices, and provide fun and effective community programs designed to educate and strengthen families.  The Weymouth Youth Coalition is appreciative that funding will continue to support our efforts and build community partnerships.” -  Lyn Frano, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Town of Weymouth.

“The Plymouth Development Collaborative is very grateful to Congressman Delahunt’s support in assisting our community in obtaining funding to battle the issue of adolescent alcohol and substance abuse issues. We will be approaching our third year of obtaining the federal funding and our data has shown a consistent drop on the usage of illegal substance as well as the onset age. We have wide representation from throughout the community who have willingly participated and volunteered their time and expertise to insuring the safety of our children. It is only through community wide efforts like this that we can begin to make a difference.” - Robert L. Sherman, Director Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as a result of programs like the Drug Free Communities Support Program, youth drug use has dropped by 25% in our country in the last five years.

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