Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 26, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces drug abuse prevention grants

OLYMPIA - Washington communities are invited to apply for grants for new, local substance-abuse prevention programs, Gov. Gary Locke said today.

The state will be distributing $2.5 million annually for three years to local communities that develop programs that target youngsters from 4th grade through the first year of high school, along with their families.

"We have to fight drug abuse on all fronts - prevention, treatment, and law enforcement -- but well-designed prevention programs are the most cost-effective investment we can make," Locke said. "And with the help of the federal government, we've got some new resources to help communities keep kids from starting to use drugs in the first place.''

Washington is one of only 14 states to receive this year a special State Incentive Grant from the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

The $8.9 million grant will be used over three years for community projects aimed at preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by youngsters. At least 85 percent of the funds will go to communities across the state for prevention services that have been shown by research to be effective in reducing risk factors that often lead to youth substance abuse.

"Nothing threatens the future our state's children more than drug use," Locke said. He cited disturbing statistics on drug use among youth that show:

- One out of every 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 every 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.

Locke appointed a 30-member Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee to develop an overall plan for use of the grant funds. Under the plan released today, communities will compete for shares of $2.5 million that will be made available annually. Remaining grant funds will be used for evaluation of community programs, grant administration, and related activities.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) now is taking applications from communities applying for project funding from the grant. In late June, the governor's advisory panel will select and recommend to the governor projects for funding. Local grants will be available in July.

Community projects will be evaluated to measure their success in achieving specified outcomes - changes in attitudes about marijuana and alcohol. The evaluation also will measure efforts to coordinate and streamline prevention activities at the state level.

The state is spending $45 million in the current biennium on various types of prevention programs aimed at alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

"Nobody pretends this additional $2.5 million a year for local communities will keep all of our kids from using drugs," Locke said. "But we'll use those funds to leverage changes in the way we use other public and private resources for drug prevention. This will be a long-term effort, but it's one we cannot afford not to make."

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