Lance: Hunterdon and Somerset Counties See Federal Grants for Substance Abuse Fight

FLEMINGTON, N.J. — Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today announced Community in Crisis, Inc., Hunterdon Prevention Resource, Inc. and Empower Somerset, Inc. have each been awarded a $125,000 grant by the Drug-Free Communities Support Program and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The grants are designed to assist communities addressing the problem of opioid and heroin abuse, provide education and implement prevention measures.

“Too often we are hearing about another life cut short from the scourge of drug addiction. This is not just a New Jersey problem, but an epidemic facing the entire country. We need to be working together and empowering the groups and organizations that are succeeding in turning the tide against drug abuse. Community in Crisis, Inc., Hunterdon Prevention Resource, Inc. and Empower Somerset, Inc. are great partners in connecting people with the resources and support they need. These investments are not only the right thing to do, but help lessen the significant strain on law enforcement resources. I commend each group on its important work,” said Lance.

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, is the Nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.

“We’re losing more than 60,000 people per year to drug overdose, but if we can stop young people from starting to use drugs in the first place, we can save lives,” said Richard Baum, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. “Our local DFC coalitions are a key part of this effort because they are bringing together parents groups, schools, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, businesses and others to prevent drug use and improve the health of the community.”

Lance is a leader in Congress in the anti-opioid abuse fight. Lance served on the conference committee charged with assembling the federal legislation to combat the Nation’s opioid epidemic. That measure was signed into law last year. Lance also worked with Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, on legislation that improves the medical drug approval and label process for prescription drugs, a major contributing factor to drug abuse.