SUBSTANCE-ABUSE COUNCIL WILL GO ON DESPITE LOST FUNDS

CANTON - A program to teach Canton students about the dangers of substance
abuse looks like it will be able to continue this fall, even though its
grant runs out then.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency of Central
Mississippi has run different programs reaching more than 1,000 students in
three schools under a three-year federal grant that runs out Sept. 30.

But, council director Hugh Barkley said the programs under Project CORD
(Canton Organizes to Reduce Drugs) should be able to continue within a
strict budget.

"We've applied for funding and will have some funding to continue those
programs in the fall. We're waiting for final approval," Barkley said.

The council has applied to the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi for a
grant to keep putting its message of the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol
and tobacco before students through programs that use peer counseling,
character studies and community-based lessons.

The new money may not be as much as the $100,000 annual cost of Project
CORD, Barkley said. "It's cutting it close, but we have materials in place
and that will help us to continue without interruption."

To keep Project CORD going in the future, a coalition of Canton citizens
representing business, government, parents, law enforcement, churches,
social service agencies and health providers is working on establishing
itself as a tax-exempt organization to seek a federal grant.

Barkley said the organization needs to be set up as quickly as possible so
it can apply in March for a federal grant from the National Community
Anti-Drug Coalition Institute.

Mayor Fred Esco Jr. serves as chairman of the coalition, and Alderman Kenny
Wayne Jones is vice chairman.

The coalition adopted a mission statement suggested by member Bobby Jones,
who heads the Canton school drug prevention program.

"The Canton drug coalition's mission is to provide a safe, healthy and
drug-free community by reducing substance abuse among youth," Jones said.