Sen. Fasano Applauds Grant to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

North Haven/East Haven Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano today applauded a national grant awarded to the Durham community to help prevent youth substance use.
The $125,000 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant was awarded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to Durham/Middlefield Youth and Family Services.

“Addiction and substance abuse must be treated as public health issues, not crimes,” said Fasano. “Substance use among youth in our state is a sad reality for many families. It steers children down dangerous roads leading towards crime and other obstacles that prevent them from achieving a successful life and dreaming of a bright future. The solution to these bigger problems lies in treating, not punishing, substance use as early as possible. Connecticut continues to take steps to help our kids be drug-free and I hope to see this funding further support our efforts. The Durham community welcomes the added support.”

Over 20 Connecticut communities have been awarded Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grants this year to go towards community coalitions that have formed to address youth substance use. They will fund community-based coalitions in order to support their day to day operations.

These grants will support the state’s efforts to reduce crime, improve public safety, and end the school-to-prison pipeline that has had a detrimental effect on Connecticut communities for a generation.

Background

Durham/Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS) is a non-profit organization that has been serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall Connecticut since 1996. DMYFS is dedicated to the health and well-being of the people of Durham and Middlefield. For information available online:http://www.dmyfs.org/about.html. More information about the Drug-Free Communities grants available on the Governor’s website.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano represents the 34thSenatorial District including Durham, East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford.