Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 22, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces drug abuse prevention grants targeted to youth

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today announced $7.5 million in grants for drug abuse prevention projects targeted at young people in 17 Washington communities. The three-year projects will begin this summer and are aimed at reducing the risk of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among middle-school-age youth and their families.

"By working together through community-based programs, we can help our kids say no to drugs and alcohol, and to many of the problems that can be associated with them – truancy, teen pregnancy, and even school violence," Locke said.

According to school-based surveys taken in 1998, one out of seven 6th graders, and half of high school seniors, report drinking alcohol in the last month. One out of six 8th graders, and one out of three seniors, report smoking marijuana in the last month. One out of every seven high school seniors describes himself or herself as a heavy marijuana user.

Each of the 17 selected communities (see attached list) will receive up to $150,000 a year from a special State Incentive Grant awarded to Washington by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. All of the projects involve partnerships, including local schools and community organizations, and are renewable for two additional years. As the projects operate, they will be systematically evaluated to measure their effects on young people's drug use in the affected communities.

"These grants will also fund research and analysis on the projects so we can continue to develop the best possible drug prevention programs for our kids," Locke said.

The Governor's Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee chose the 17 community projects (out of 34 applications) based on reviews by independent panelists who evaluated each grant proposal.

The grants, which will be administered by the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse in the Department of Social and Health Services, are based on the State Substance Abuse Prevention Plan, which was developed by the advisory committee and endorsed by Locke in February. Funds will be available beginning in July.

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