WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $375,000 to Maine organizations working to support drug-free communities throughout the state. Specifically, HHS awarded $125,000 each to Healthy Communities of the Capital Area in Gardiner, River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition in Rumford, and the Westbrook School Department.

“Across our state, the pandemic’s economic and social impacts have magnified substance use challenges for too many Maine people,” said Senators Collins and King. “As necessary health precautions such as social distancing make it harder for Mainers to access support systems, it is more vital than ever that we increase our outreach. These funds will offer significant resources to help support drug-free communities in Gardiner, Rumford, Westbrook, and the surrounding communities.”  

This funding was awarded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program.  Created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, DFC spearheads efforts to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance abuse. The program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.