Kansas receives $10 million for substance abuse prevention
Federal funds to help coordinate state and local efforts

Kansas will receive $10 million over the next five years to help communities prevent substance abuse, particularly by young Kansans, Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced today.

The $2,093,000 per year will help coordinate efforts involving state and community agencies, helping close gaps in service and improve results.

“One of the biggest mistakes a young person can make is starting to abuse alcohol or drugs.  We want to reach these young Kansans early and encourage them to make the right decisions in their lives,” Sebelius said.

This grant will address substance abuse prevention as it relates to other related behaviors such as juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, and violence.  Because the risk for substance abuse mirrors the risks for other behavioral issues, this grant provides the opportunity to address substance abuse prevention in connection to other social influences.

More than 85 percent of the grant will go to local communities for prevention efforts and it will be coordinated by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

The State of Kansas and local communities will use the grant to focus on:

• Prevention of the onset and reduction of the progression of substance abuse, including childhood and underage drinking;
• Reduction of  substance abuse-related problems in communities; and
• Building prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels.

Kansas received the grant from the Federal Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  The grant begins on October 1, 2006.

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