The Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, R. Gil Kerlikowske, announced that 169 communities across the United States will be receiving a $22 million boost to their drug abuse prevention programs for youth.
The Obama administration has long stated their commitment to reduction in youth substance abuse and, prior to this allocation of funds, released $63 million in continuation grants to other Drug Free Communities Support Programs (DFC). The new $22 million allocation raises the total amount of monies to be distributed to nearly $90 million, an amount unmatched by other administrations in recent history.
“We have long stated that the key to reducing drug rehab admission rates is through community-based education programs,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside
Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “And, not just any community-based education program, but ones specifically aimed at the youth of America. It’s really easy to become complacent and think that it’s the parents’ job to educate their children on the dangers of drug use. And, while that’s mostly true, that doesn’t negate the responsibility of society, at large, to assist in such efforts. The more individuals who are working towards a common goal, the quicker we will get there.”
The White House has stated that statistics show that communities which receive funding from DFC have seen significant reductions in previous 30-day use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana among middle and high school age kids, the specific group such education targets. Community-based education programs, such as the ones created by the Drug Free Communities Program, show the most promise in drug abuse prevention for youth. The Drug Free Communities Program operates in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the federal government.
Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center has long been an advocate of evidenced-based community drug abuse prevention programs. Through concerted community efforts, drug abuse rates among America’s youth will continue to decrease.
The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specializations and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 12 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.
The program, along with its professional addiction treatment team, has earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Waters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside
Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.
