Community coalitions “working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth” may be eligible to apply for competitive grants from The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), according to a Jan. 18 press release from the ONDCP.

The twin goals of the Drug Free Communities grants are to strengthen local anti-drug collaborations and reduce substance abuse among youth and, indirectly, substance abuse among adults.

Up to 75 new grants will be awarded.

Grantees can receive up to $125,000 a year for up to five years. Three types of coalitions will be funded:

First-time recipients of Drug Free Communities monies;
Past recipients whose funding lapsed; or
Past recipients finishing their first five-year grant and applying for a second. (Grantees may receive no more than 10 years of funding.)

Three free application workshops will be held in February in San Diego, Ca., New Orleans La., and National Harbor, Md.

Attendance is not mandatory, and online workshop videos are available at www.WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov/dfc.

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 18, 2011.

Individuals with program questions may call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 240-276-1270 or email the agency at dfcnew2011@samhsa.hhs.gov. Fiscal questions may be directed to Barbara Orlando, SAMHSA Division of Grants Management, at 240-276-1422, or via email at barbara.orlando@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Read the complete request for applications or the DFC Support Program website for more information.