DeLauro Announces $625,000 to Prevent Youth Substance Misuse in Naugatuck

Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) announced the Step Up Naugy Prevention Coalition was awarded a Fiscal Year 2022 Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grant for $625,000 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The funding will build the readiness and resources of the coalition and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse.

"Substance misuse among youth is devastating our communities, exacerbated by pandemic isolation, anxiety and depression, and lack of support," said Chair DeLauro. "Step Up Naugy is one of many needed community organizations that are expanding access to youth substance misuse prevention and treatment services, provider education, and increasing public awareness. This federal grant leverages the abilities of our local leaders to educate our youth, raise public awareness about available resources, and take tangible action to combat this epidemic sweeping through our communities. We know that stopping substance misuse before it begins is the most effective way to protect our loved ones and save lives."

"We're thrilled to be able to bring these financial resources to Naugatuck, and even more so for the positive impact that Step Up Naugy will continue to have through empowering our most important resource – our community members. Please join us in "stepping up" to help keep Naugatuck youth safe, healthy, and drug-free," said Naugatuck Youth Services, Inc. Executive Kristin Mabrouk.

The Step Up Naugy Coalition was one of 99 applicants through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. The DFC awards represent an investment by the Biden-Harris Administration of approximately $12.4 million in youth substance use prevention in communities across the country. At a time when the overdose epidemic continues to affect communities across the country, DFC-funded coalitions are making significant declines in prevalence of past 30-day youth drug use. The DFC Program is funded and administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), with program support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Read the Biden-Harris Administration's inaugural National Drug Control Strategy HERE.

Read the fact sheet on the Strategy HERE.

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