PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) celebrated the announcement by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that it was awarding four grants totaling $450,000 to coalitions in Secaucus, Tenafly, and Hudson County dedicated to keeping children away from harmful substances.

“Keeping our children off drugs and alcohol takes the work of family and community together. These coalitions are at the frontlines of the fight, and awards like Drug-Free Communities are vital to recognizing their work and giving them the resources to keep having a positive impact,” said Rep. Pascrell. “As every community in America continues to grapple with the terrible opioid epidemic, we need to work as one with every tool we can get our hands on. The continued support of the Drug-Free Communities Program is one of those tools, and it is making big difference for our children.”

“The Town of Secaucus is pleased to continue with the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant,” said Dave Brattion, Program Coordinator of the Secaucus Coalition. “The Secaucus Coalition members are excited to continue to use the grant as a foundation for our work to reduce youth substance abuse in our community. We have made strides in raising awareness about alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and will continue those efforts as we face new and emerging substance abuse challenges such as youth vaping and marijuana abuse.”

“We are very excited to receive this grant. Through our longstanding relationship with the North Bergen Municipal Alliance/Prevention Coalition and with the help of this grant, we will be able to provide guidance to North Bergen as they continue to expand,” said Yaisa Coronado, Program Director for Hudson County Coalition and Associate Executive Director for Partners in Prevention. “The North Bergen Coalition will now be able to concentrate on efforts salient to their community. We truly appreciate the support from our public officials in securing this grant.”

A list of recipients of Drug-Free Community grants:

• $125,000 to the town of Secaucus
• $125,000 to the Lindsay Meyer Memorial Foundation in Secaucus
• $125,000 to Tenafly Public Schools in Tenafly
• $75,000 to the Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community

Administered through the annual Drug-Free Communities Support Program, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded 731 grants and issued 156 new awards of $19.5M for Fiscal Year 2018. With community coalitions in all 50 states, this year’s grant awards are the highest in the program’s history – a $90.9M investment. Created by Congress in 1997, the Drug-Free Communities Support Program is the nation’s leading player in mobilizing communities and using grants to community coalitions to build and strengthen bonds between local partners to prevent youth substance use.

Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of 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. By involving the community in a solution-oriented approach, Drug-Free Community also helps those youth at risk for substance use recognize that the majority of America’s youth choose not to use drugs.

Rep. Pascrell has worked closely with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to bring increased resources to cities and community organizations fighting drug use. In October 2014, he helped win $1.25M for the Rutherford Community Prevention Coalition.