Harris Announces Drug Free Community Grant to Lower Shore

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $125,000 federal grant from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Crisfield Community Prevention Works Drug Free Coalition in Somerset County. Funding came from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, which is the nation's leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth. Created in 1997 by the Drug-Free Communities Act, directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and now administered by CDC, the DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.

Congressman Harris made the following statement on the award:

"As a physician and father, I understand the serious dangers of drug abuse facing our children, and I applaud the award of these federal funds to our local community. This assistance is especially important during this pandemic, where we have seen a rise in drug abuse and accidental overdoses. Just two weeks ago I had the pleasure of hosting Director Carroll of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy on the Eastern Shore for a roundtable discussion on substance abuse. This grant, awarded by the CDC at the direction of Director Carroll's office, will allow this local community coalition to continue their critical work in educating our youth on the dangers of substance abuse."

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