Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 Source: Pacific Business News (HI) Copyright: 2003 American City Business Journals Inc. Contact: http://www.amcity.com/pacific/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/672 EWA BEACH TO GET $100,000 TO FIGHT DRUG CRIME The Ewa Beach community will get a $100,000 federal grant to help fight drug-related crimes. The grant comes from the U.S. Justice Department and was made to Drug-Free Hawaii, the fiscal agent for the Ewa Beach Community Coalition. The coalition will use the money for programs to reduce substance abuse among youth in a community wide effort. It will create a support network for youth and their families; assess the community's needs, pool resources and create working partnerships supporting a drug-free community; create a multiyear strategic plan to achieve its goals; subcontract with the Kalihi YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawaii for services; and create a new alternative school to allow youths to earn high school diplomas. "It's very heartening to see communities like Ewa Beach taking responsibility at the grass-roots level," said U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie. "That's an absolutely necessary precondition for success in fighting the ravages of drug use." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth