Grant awarded to Southern Utah drug prevention coalition to tackle youth substance abuse

CEDAR CITY — Marking the 20-year anniversary of grants offered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program, 156 new grants were awarded nationally to drug prevention coalitions in September, including one in Iron County.

The grants will provide community coalitions funding to prevent youth substance abuse of prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol. The Cedar City-based Iron County Prevention Coalition was one of only two prevention coalitions in Utah to be awarded with this year’s round of funding.

“We have the power to change youth drug and alcohol use in our own communities,” coalition coordinator Heidi Baxley said in a press release. “Prevention is a tool we have to reduce the consequences associated with youth drug and alcohol use. This new funding will allow our county coalition to help more kids find success and to live in a healthier and safer county.”

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community coalitions that facilitate citizen participation in drug prevention efforts.

Coalitions are composed of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, the media and others working together at the local level.

For more information or to get involved in the Iron County Prevention Coalition, visit the Southwest Prevention website.

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