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Schools to get funds for efforts against drugs
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Schools and agencies in Mahoning and Columbiana counties will receive funding for efforts to keep their students drug-free.
Groups in the area were among 22 statewide selected to receive grants totaling $1.5 million through a drug-abuse prevention initiative headed by Ohio First Lady Karen Kasich.
“A focus on prevention will keep Ohio moving in the right direction, helping children succeed in school, learn a healthy lifestyle and ultimately strengthen Ohio’s work force,” Tracy Plouck, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, said in a released statement.
In Mahoning County, the Austintown Local School District will receive $27,584 for a variety of substance- abuse prevention efforts that will include involvement of the county court and juvenile justice systems, children services board and Meridian Community Care. A total of 1,600 students are expected to be served.
Meridian Community Care also will receive a $35,270 grant for projects in the Girard and Struthers districts, serving an estimated 435 students.
And the Youngstown Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program will receive $175,210 toward its youth-mentoring initiative, serving an estimated 100 students in the Youngstown district.
In Columbiana County, the Family Recovery Center will receive $51,210 for programming aimed at fifth- and sixth-graders at five schools. A total of 1,000 students are expected to be served.