Healthy Lincoln County has received a grant for $125,000 per year for up to five years to prevent youth substance abuse in Lincoln County communities. This is one of 697 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) recipients nationwide that is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). After five years, HLC will be able to apply for another five years of funding.

“It is so exciting to potentially bring up to $1,250,000 in federal dollars to Lincoln County over the next 10 years. These funds will directly support efforts to prevent youth substance use. Other communities around the nation who have this funding have shown lower youth substance use rates than those without it,” says Kate Marone, new HLC Director.

Healthy Lincoln County formed the Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership made up of schools, law enforcement, parents and guardians, and businesses, and more. Last winter, this group came together to draft a plan on how to reduce youth substance use. The group chose proven strategies to address Lincoln County’s needs. The planned strategies will address youth use and access to alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, and other substances.

“This grant will provide support and education for the people and organizations in our community who are closest to our youth. In addition to the parents and schools, we’ll work with faith communities, treatment providers, businesses, teens, and more,” says Jini Lewis, Chair of the Health Lincoln County Advisory Board.

These strategies will build on HLC’s other work supporting healthy youth development. This includes projects with the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS), Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF), Summer Food Services Program, and SNAP-Ed.

If you are interested in learning more, or in joining the Lincoln County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, contact: director@healthylincolncounty.org.