Pender County Prevention Partnership receives Federal Grant

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A federal grant is being awarded to support youth substance use prevention in Pender County.

The Pender County Substance Use Prevention Partnership has received a $125,000 grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The funding is part of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The grant supports coalitions that are continuing local efforts to reduce substance use among youth.

Jane McDonald, a Prevention Coordinator with Coastal Horizons, says the organization is serving as the fiscal agent for the grant.

“It helps to mobilize communities to be able to address substance use concerns they are identifying in their community — looking at what’s happening and what’s contributing to the issues,” McDonald said.

McDonald also says their partner agencies play an important role in the grant. Those partners include, but are not limited to, Novant Health, the Pender County Health Department, and Pender County Veteran Services.