STATE GETS HELP IN DRUG FIGHT

$11.7 Million Federal Grant To Be Used To Battle Substance Abuse

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state has received an $11.7 million federal grant to
boost drug-prevention efforts in communities throughout Indiana.

Gov. Mitch Daniels said yesterday that he'll direct much of the money to
efforts to combat methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug often
manufactured in small, rural labs. But it also will be used on other
efforts to curb dangerous behavior.

"In Indiana, we are working toward healthy people and healthy communities,"
Daniels said. "This funding will help us inform people about how to make
positive choices in life, not only with regard to substance abuse, but diet
and exercise as well."

But first the Indiana Department of Health will conduct a study to
determine the risk factors that contribute to Hoosiers' drug use as well as
to look at the prevention efforts already in place.

Judy Monroe, director of the department, said yesterday that the state will
use a scientific approach to that study and the program.

"Much of the funding will then go out into the communities," Monroe said.

The money comes from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration and will be distributed over five years. Four other states
were awarded grants yesterday; another 19 received them last year.

The agency's administrator, Charles Curie, came to Indianapolis yesterday
to announce the grant.

He said the money is intended to give states and local communities the
resources to coordinate the money they receive for drug programs.

"Many communities don't even know how many prevention dollars they are
getting from the federal government or from the state government," Curie said.

The communities will develop strategies for combating smoking, underage
drinking, alcohol abuse and drug use.

"We are working toward the same objective: Reducing risk factors and
promoting protective factors," he said.

Daniels said the new grant will become just one factor in the state's
effort to combat meth. Already, Indiana has passed a law restricting access
to over-the-counter drugs that contain a key ingredient for making meth.

Also, child protection staff members are working with law enforcement to
deal with children found in homes where meth is made or abused, the prison
system has developed meth treatment programs, and a state task force is
working on other measures designed to curb problems with the drug.

But spending money on underage drinking and smoking is key to the anti-meth
effort, officials said yesterday, because they are considered "gateways" to
other drugs, especially among youth.

The grant also requires Indiana to develop a plan to identify the state's
drug-prevention needs and hire a staff to coordinate the project.

The state can spend up to 15 percent of the grant on staff and coordination
efforts. The rest -- nearly $1.9 million annually -- must be sent to
community organizations to conduct prevention efforts.

An advisory council will meet to determine how the money is distributed.

State Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville, said yesterday he hopes that, in
addition to traditional anti-drug educational efforts, some money will be
focused on helping families and individuals develop coping skills.

Brown, an emergency room doctor, said he often sees people who develop drug
habits because they are trying to escape other problems.

Steve McCaffrey, president of the Mental Health Association in Indiana,
said mental health providers are "very excited" about the grant.

"Indiana has not had the opportunity with federal or state dollars to put
money into drug or mental health prevention," McCaffrey said. "Prevention
is rarely seen as a priority. We think it's an exciting prospect that
prevention can move to the forefront."