Senators announce $600,000 to fight youth drug use in Montana

Money will go to Sidney, Kalispell, Pablo, Columbus, Glendive, and Billings

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Six Montana communities will each receive money to fight youth drug use, thanks to a grant announced today by U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester.

The Drug Free Communities program is designed to support individuals and communities in mobilizing to combat youth drug abuse.  Each community provides a one-to-one match for every federal dollar awarded.

The following six communities will each receive $100,000:

• Billings: Roots of Promise: Alliance for Children and Families
• Kalispell: STOP Underage Drinking in the Flathead
• Glendive: Dawson County Healthy Communities Coalition
•  Sidney: Richland County Partnership for Promise Coalition and the Boys & Girls Club of Richland County
• Columbus: Stillwater Community Coalition
• Pablo: The Flathead Reservation and Lake County Coalitions for Kids, Inc.

"Drug use is a scourge in our state," Baucus said. "This money will mean local coalitions will be able to come up with local solutions and I look forward to seeing the rate of youth drug abuse drop in the coming years."

"Drug abuse can shatter lives and devastate families.   The federal government has an essential role to play to support local intervention efforts," Tester said. "As a father and a grandfather, protecting Montana's children is a priority for me as a Senator.  Funding these proven programs to help keep them away from drugs is a smart investment of our federal dollars."

The grant will be awarded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy.