WASHINGTON, D.C. – As fentanyl and other opioids continue inflicting damage in New Hampshire, officials are working provide as much funding as possible to combat the problem.

Friday, U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, all D-N.H., announced $1.25 million in Drug Free Communities grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to 10 local drug prevention coalitions in New Hampshire. The grants will provide local community coalitions funding to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs and opioids, in Souhegan Valley, Nashua, Franklin, Jaffrey, Winchester, Haverhill, Raymond, Somersworth, Keene and the Upper Valley region.

“Youth drug prevention coalitions are doing life-saving work to protect children from substance use and they need resources to maintain existing programs and reach more people,” Shaheen said. “That’s why I’m pleased to announce these federal grants, which will go a long way in helping to bolster the efforts of prevention partners around the state. I urge ONDCP to move rapidly in announcing the remaining DFC grants for the year and I’ll continue to fight for the funding and resources New Hampshire needs to battle the substance use disorder epidemic.”

“Combating the substance misuse epidemic requires a comprehensive, community-based effort that includes early prevention of drug and alcohol use for young people,” Hassan said. “As governor and now as senator, I know the importance of these federal grants in supporting Granite State communities working on preventing tobacco and substance misuse among the next generation, including vaping, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use. I look forward to continuing to partner with my colleagues across the aisle and in the New Hampshire delegation to support critical funding like this.”

“Youth drug prevention programs play a critical role in combating the opioid epidemic,” Kuster said. “This much-needed funding from ONDCP will enable these programs to continue their efforts on behalf of Granite State children and families. I will continue working to find solutions to our nation’s opioid crisis and ensure New Hampshire has the necessary funding to address this epidemic.”

“It is critical that we give our communities every resource possible to protect the health of our young people and empower them to lead the fight against substance abuse. Drug Free Communities are an important part of the effort to strengthen substance use prevention efforts, and I am pleased that these additional resources will now be made available through the Office of National Drug Control Policy. This funding will go a long way, and I remain committed to bringing additional federal dollars back to New Hampshire whenever possible to confront the crisis of addiction,” Pappas added.

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