Allen County’s efforts to protect young people from alcohol and drugs will continue, thanks to a five-year $125,000 grant.
The Allen County Multi-Agency Team (ACMAT) and Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center announced the grant earlier this week.
Only Allen and Douglas counties in Kansas were awarded the grant, which is a competitive process through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Drug-Free Community (DFC).
About five years ago, Allen County used a similar grant to form a partnership with the county’s three school districts and other community groups. The goal is to offer programs to local youth to educate them about substance use, with a goal of decreasing the misuse of such substances. Efforts have targeted tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, including “vaping” and electronic cigarettes.
ACMAT focuses on unique circumstances that affect the local community, such as poverty, rural living, and an increased out-of-home placement rate in youth for emotional abuse.
Jessica McGinnis serves as the community coordinator for the project, on behalf of the mental health center and ACMAT.
Michelle Miewes, ACMAT chairperson, said the coalition has long recognized substance abuse among the youth in Allen County is very high compared to other areas with similar demographics.
“ACMAT members have worked tirelessly with very limited time and resources, as a coalition and as individuals, to promote a noticeable decrease in the number of underage youth abusing substances,” Miewes said.
“The initial DFC award opened the door to a much broader range of resources and access to a wide range of experts dedicated to the study of youth and substance abuse. We are so excited to have been selected to receive continued financial support from DFC to build on the successes of the past five years and to move into the future with a clear plan for improving the health of the youth in Allen County.”
