Pubdate: Thu,  6 Dec 2001
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603

LOCAL ALCOHOL PREVENTION GROUP GETS GRANT

TEAM (Together Erasing Alcohol Misuse) Athens County has been awarded $28, 
660 by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) 
to assist in dealing with alcohol and other drug abuse needs, along with 
mobilizing and promoting healthy youth development in Athens County.

With the support of the Taft administration, 14 grants totaling $515, 000 
have been awarded to community drug-free coalitions statewide for fiscal 
year 2002. In order to qualify for these grants, coalitions had to consist 
of at least four collaboration entities. In this area, the following groups 
are part of the resulting coalition: Health Recovery Services, Inc., Rural 
Action, Athens City-County Health Department and the Athens County 
Sheriff's Department, as well as numerous individual partners.

In a news release, Earl Cecil, director of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and 
Mental Health Services Board (317 Board) serving Athens, Hocking and Vinton 
Counties, stated, "This community has always made the well-being of our 
youth a high priority. With these funds we can identify need and the best 
ways to reach young people before they become involved in behaviors 
destructive to themselves and the community."

ODADAS plans, initiates and coordinates an extensive system of alcohol, 
tobacco and other drug-addiction services designed to educate the public 
and prevent substance abuse. In the release, ODADAS Director Luceille 
Fleming said, "Community coalitions have been proven to be an effective 
method for bringing the organizations and individuals together who must 
work together for the health of children and families. These grants will 
help mobilize and encourage communities to expand upon that commitment."
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MAP posted-by: Beth