US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) at a Recent Rally.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,417)

Communities Promoting Health Coalition, Portland, will be receiving a grant in the amount of $125,000 to continue its ongoing work US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) announced last week.  Portland is one of nine communities in southern and mid-coast Maine set to receive $1.1 million in grant funding through the federal Drug-Free Communities Support Program.

“The heartbreaking rise in heroin overdose and deaths in Maine and across the country makes these kind of prevention funds even more important.  We should be doing everything we can to keep kids from going down the path of drug abuse before things get out of control,” said Pingree.  “I’m very proud of how Maine communities are working together to prevent substance abuse by young Mainers and am glad that so many will receive federal funding to support those efforts.”

Funds are awarded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Recipients will use the funds for a range of efforts, including educating parents, including enforcement of underage drinking laws, increasing public awareness of the risks of substance abuse and enlisting educators in youth substance abuse prevention.

The nine. communities receiving new grant money or grant money for on-going programs run from Rockport to Sanford