Substance abuse coalition garners $7,000 grant

The Southeast Missouri Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, facilitated by the United Way of Southeast Missouri, has been awarded $7,000 by the Missouri Department of Mental Health's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Education's Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program.

Earlier this year, the Coalition was awarded a $1,000 Community Grant as part of recommendations from the Youth United Way to address youth substance abuse issues.

Plans for the combined grant funds will develop an Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Community Awareness Manual. Information gathered over the past year has been used to help identify strengths and gaps in services in our community and help develop a communitywide plan.

The community awareness project will compile a manual for use by all segments of the community as a measure of local community trends, which often do not correspond with national or even state trends.

Containing specific suggestions on ways to impact youth substance use and abuse, it will be distributed widely throughout the community.

The project will offer limited training concerning implementation of these suggestions. The Coalition hopes this manual will be used as a community resource and the data contained will be used in pursuit of funding and/or grants for other youth substance use and abuse prevention and treatment projects.

For more information on this project, contact Southeast Regional Support Center project consultant Jim Maginel at 651-5153.