Managing Editor

Senator Chuck Grassley announced Thursday that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded $2,208,689 in Drug Free Communities Support Program continuation grants to 24 Iowa communities.

Among those communities, Spencer's Positively Spencer Youth group was awarded the top funding amount of $100,000.

"PSY's approval for a second year of DFC funding demonstrates that our efforts over the last year have been well received by community members and by the DFC grant administrators in Washington, DC. It is very exciting to know that we are on the right track and have begun to change the attitudes about substance use and abuse in Spencer," said Amy Simpson, with PSY.

The Drug Free Communities Support Program provides grants of up to $100,000 to community coalitions that mobilize their communities to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and inhalant abuse. The program acts as a catalyst for increased citizen participation in efforts to reduce substance use among youth and it provides drug-free community coalitions with much-needed funds to carry out their important missions.

Simpson said, "The restricted DFC funds will be used to collaborate with the Spencer School District, local law enforcement, and other agencies to provide information and education to youth and adults in Spencer. It will also allow us to participate in statewide and nationwide trainings and conferences, giving us access to the most current resources around the county. Financial support from local businesses and community members will be used to provide activities and events which do not fall under the DFC umbrella, but are a very important focus for PSY.

Simpson noted that the group's first year efforts must have been well received for them to have received the award a second year.

"The first year of our DFC funding allowed PSY to strengthen and expand, by hiring a director, acquiring office space and equipment, and receiving national-level training to improve the efficiency of the work we are doing," she explained."

We were able to provide family forums on topics ranging from internet safety, to the dangers of prescription drug abuse and inhalant abuse. We hosted our 3rd Annual Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking, continued the "Parents Who Host Lose The Most" campaign, and launched the "Make Family Meals Your Natural Chatroom" campaign."

The group has also continued the Parent to Parent Pledge booklet for families with children in grades 7-12, and collaborated with many agencies and organizations on joint projects and events.

Simpson said that the funding will allow the group to expand its efforts in the coming years, indicating that they had plans in the works that will put the money to good use for the Spencer area.

"Over the next year, the DFC funds will be used to access both local and nationally-known speakers, to provide information and training on topics ranging from 'bullying and cyber-bullying' to 'reaching children from high-stress environments.' We will provide opportunities to bring speakers to the schools, including youth leadership skills training. We will be collaborating with Spencer Schools to provide training to educators from the Central Academy as well as guidance counselors for students in grades K-12.

"We will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement officers to do compliance checks and training for retailers of alcohol and tobacco products. And we will continue to provide safe, healthy, substance-free activities for youth of all ages, and recognize the positive choices made by members of our community."

Grassley has long been a leader in the fight against drugs. He first sponsored the Drug Free Communities Act in 1997. He took the lead to see that the legislation was reauthorized in 2001 and again in 2006.

"We can't allow drugs and the environment they create to thrive. Our children and their futures are at stake. The best way to stop substance abuse it to make sure it never starts," Grassley said. "These funds will allow communities to continue to fight against drugs at a local level."

In the late 1990s, Grassley launched an extensive first-of-its kind statewide initiative to address Iowa's drug problem at the grassroots. Called "Face It Together," or FIT, the effort was designed to help Iowans work together to keep their schools, workplaces and communities drug-free.

Grassley currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.

The allocation of continuation grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy is listed below.

Algona - Kossuth Connections: Making the Connection receives $72,107

Ames - Iowa State University Worth Co. Ext. receives $100,000

Boone - Boone County Asset Team receives $100,000

Cedar Rapids - St. Luke's Health Care Foundation receives $100,000

Charles City - FOCUS receives $74,390

Council Bluffs - Loess Hills Area Education Agency receives in $100,000

Decorah -Helping Services for Northeast Iowa receives $100,000

Epworth - Dubuque Safe Youth Coalition receives $99,083

Garner - Garner Asset Project Coalition receives $55,000

Iowa City - Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse receives $100,000

Iowa City - Washington County receives $100,000

Keosauqua - Van Buren County Safe Coalition receives $100,000

Marshalltown -Marshall County Youth and Violence Committee receives $100,000

Marshalltown -SATUCI Youth Partners receives $100,000

Mason City - Mason City Youth Task Force receives $100,000

Mt. Pleasant - Henry Healthy County Communities receives $100,000

Newton - JPT Decatergorization Project receives in $100,000

Reinbeck - Project Radical receives $58,000

Sioux City - Siouxland CARES About Substance Abuse receives $75,000

Spencer - Positively Spencer Youth receives $100,000

Waterloo -Pathways Behavioral Services receives $75,109

Webster City - Hamilton County Power UP YOUth Coalition receives $100,000

West Burlington - Grade A Plus receives $100,000