Tester Secures $250,000 to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

Senator Delivers Critical Resources to Dillon and Anaconda Substance Abuse Initiatives

(U.S. Senate)-U.S. Senator Jon Tester has secured multiple grants worth $250,000 to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among youth in southwest Montana.

Tester secured a new $125,000 grant for the Be the Change 406 Coalition in Dillon, which develops and executes plans to prevent substance abuse in Beaverhead County. The coalition works closely with law enforcement, medical providers, and service organizations to provide services and conduct programs to reduce drug and alcohol abuse.

Tester also secured a $125,000 continuation grant to help Anaconda Community Intervention keep providing essential substance abuse prevention services in Deer Lodge County.

“If we are going to get a grip on youth substance abuse, it starts with getting more resources in the hands of the folks who truly make a difference,” Tester said. “These grants will give folks in southwest Montana additional tools to curb drug and alcohol abuse and get our future leaders back on the track to success.”

According to the grant application, the Be the Change 406 Coalition will use the grant to implement four strategies to curb youth substance abuse:
• Enhancing individual leadership and communication skills through trainings, community events and media.
• Modifying and changing policies by developing a clear organizational structure.
• Promoting use of an evidence-based curriculum proven to reduce youth substance misuse.
• Developing and supporting a youth subcommittee to reduce substance misuse in Beaverhead County.

The grants were administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for legislation to fund the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and these grants.

Tester last week voted for a major bill that invests $1.8 billion in substance abuse block grants for states and organizations like Be the Change 406 and Anaconda Community Intervention.