News Release: November 15, 2006

CSAC Awarded As Drug Free Community Support Program

Announces creation of two grant-funded positions -- a full-time Assistant Coordinator and part-time Information Coordinator

CHARLESTOWN, MA -- The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition has been named a Drug Free Community Support Program - and a recipient of a national grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC) is one of only 107 communities nationwide to receive the five-year federal grant this year. The goal of the Drug Free Support Programs and local coalitions is to work with community leaders and others at the local level to prevent and reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse among youth.

US Representative Michael Capuano, in announcing the award to the Coalition said, "In recent years, the Charlestown Community has effectively come together to address the troubling issue of substance abuse." "These SAMSHA funds will give various community groups in Charlestown the structure to work together through the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition so that they will be better positioned to access more services in the fight against addiction."

The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition and the Charlestown community acknowledged the role of Representative Capuano for his efforts on behalf of the Coalition. The Coalition also credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Charlestown Clubhouse, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Community Benefit Program for their role in securing the grant.

Funds received from the five-year grant will be used to meet the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition's operating needs and further community efforts to reduce substance abuse, including developing and enhancing data collection and evaluation. )

"We are pleased to be able to bring additional resources to the Community to help combat substance abuse and its consequences," said Beth Rosenshein, Coalition Coordinator.

CSAC is pleased to announce two grant funded job opportunities, a full-time Assistant Coordinator and part-time Information Coordinator (see advertisement in this week's Patriot Bridge, or full ads on www.csac-chad.org or www.bgcb.org)

CSAC is a community-led coalition convened by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and leaders in the Charlestown community, and funded by MGH, Partners HealthCare, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. CSAC began in the winter of 2004 in response to a growing substance abuse problem in the Charlestown community. CSAC works in collaboration with the Boston Police Department and includes parents, town residents, educators, business representatives, elected officials, members of the faith and human services community and others. According to the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (2002 & 2003 statistics), heroin was the primary drug of choice in Charlestown and treatment for heroin use was higher in Charlestown than any other Boston neighborhood.

"The 107 coalitions receiving new grants this year will help ensure that even more community organizations join the effort to keep our children healthy and drug-free," said ONDCP Director John Walters.

Eric R. Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., Acting Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), said, "Some of the most important work to reduce drug use comes from our Nation's grass-roots community coalitions. These coalitions, combined with our Strategic Prevention Framework effort, create a powerful force that will continue to drive down the numbers of young people using illicit drugs."

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