McKinley Announces Funding for Drug Prevention Programs

Washington, D.C.– Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) announced that two local groups; the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention and Advocates for Substance Abuse Prevention will each receive a $125,000 grant from the Drug Free Community Support Program to help fight drug abuse. This announcement was welcomed by several local officials.    

“Substance abuse continues to be a grave and growing problem in West Virginia and across the United States. Too many families are being torn apart by the dangers that addiction can bring. These grants are an important weapon in our fight against drugs and they will provide these local organizations with the necessary tools to ultimately save more lives.” – Congressman David B. McKinley.

“Opioid abuse is the number one public health issue facing the Ohio Valley. Every member of our community is affected by this blight. This grant will certainly help improve the lives of so many that are affected. As a health care professional I appreciate the hard work of the task force and Congressman McKinley in combating this problem.” - Neal F. Aulick II, MD, FACEP, Medical Director and Chair EMSTAR, East Ohio Medical Center

"Saving lives is what this money will help our communities do.  We have seen it first-hand how addiction affects innocent, newborn babies, their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles.  It's heartbreaking.  We commend Congressman McKinley for taking this action.  However, we as a state have a long way to go and we desperately need help.  It certainly is a step in the right direction.” - Kelli McCoy, Weirton Medical Center

"The abuse of narcotics and prescription drugs continue to dominate the Wheeling Police Department's officers and detectives work load. I thank Congressman McKinley for his hard work obtaining the funding to assist these agencies who are always willing to help those recover from addiction."- Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, Wheeling Police Department 

Background

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is administered under the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The goal of this program is to help local communities by mobilizing individuals and organizations to reduce substance abuse.