Kaptur Announces $250,000 in Awards for Drug-Free CommunitiesPress ReleaseHealth Care

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced $250,000 in Drug-Free Communities (DFC) awards for two Northwest Ohio communities. The awards will be given through the US Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EHOVE Career Center's Future Leaders Program in Sandusky and the Springfield Area Prevention Coalition in Swanton will each receive awards of $125,000 for substance-abuse prevention efforts. These two new awards continue Congresswoman Kaptur's commitment as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee to bring Federal dollars home where they are needed most.

"These funds benefit local organizations taking meaningful steps in their communities to prevent substance abuse, a critical issue in our region of Northwest Ohio," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "By focusing prevention efforts on youth, we work to reduce the risk of future substance use as they age into adulthood. Encouraging Drug-Free Communities empowers those closest to the problem to take meaningful, lasting action."

EHOVE Career Center serves both high school students and adults across Erie, Huron, and Ottawa counties who wish to advance their academic and technical skills in preparation for a career or higher education. Their Future Leaders program is a leadership club for high schoolers that encourages students to live drug-free and participate in community service. As part of the program, students take random, confidential drug screenings, reinforcing how small, positive decisions now can lead to success in the future.

Springfield Area Prevention Coalition provides community awareness education on the reduction and prevention of substance abuse. The Coalition serves residents of Swanton, Ohio. It participates in activities like Red Ribbon Week alongside Springfield school systems and community drug take back programs to promote healthy decisions and the benefits of living drug-free.

In 2018, Congresswoman Kaptur secured a $125,000 Drug-Free Communities award for the Erie County Health Department to combat substance abuse concerns. Additionally in 2023 Congresswoman Kaptur delivered a $1.8 Million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) award to the Erie County Health Department, and in 2024 she delivered a $375,000 SAMHSA award for the Sandusky County Board of Health. Both SAMHSA awards were also aimed at addressing substance abuse prevention.

# # #