COALITION TO AWARD GRANTS TO GROUPS THAT CREATE ANTI-SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PROGRAMS

Coalition Hears Report On Free Medical Services Available To Ages 10-21.

The Northwest Zero Tolerance Coalition is offering mini-grants to
student groups and other community organizations in Romeo, Armada and
Richmond that create and implement projects promoting zero tolerance
of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use among youths.

Groups whose applications are approved by the coalition will receive
up to $300 in grant money to fund their projects.

Deadline to submit a grant is Feb. 11. The coalition will review grant
applications during its Feb. 12 meeting at the 42-1 District Court in
Bruce Township.

For more information or to receive a grant application, call Nancy
Jenuwine of Macomb Family Services at 752-9696, Ext. 212.

The NZTC is made up of local law enforcement officials, school
officials and residents from the area encompassing Romeo, Armada and
Richmond.

The NZTC, together with substance abuse specialists, spearheads
anti-substance abuse programs aimed at young people living in the
communities it serves.

One of 10 local community coalitions under the umbrella of the Macomb
County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the NZTC started its ninth year
in September.

For more information on the activities of all 10 community
anti-substance abuse coalitions in the county, people may access the
Macomb County Prevention Coalition's new Web site --
www.mcpcweb.org.

Jenuwine, a substance abuse prevention specialist with Macomb Family
Services in Romeo, said she recently distributed grant applications to
officials in the Romeo, Armada and Richmond school districts.

She said the NZTC will require successful applicants to document
completion of their projects through written summaries, photographs
taken at the event and published articles about the event, as well as
through other means, if available.

Projects need to be completed by June 1, with any unused monies
returned to the NZTC.

Also during its January meeting, the coalition heard a report from
Laurie Johnson, a registered nurse and adolescent health coordinator
with New Haven Medical and Community Services.

Johnson said the agency recently received a $125,000 Teen Grant from
the Michigan Department of Education to support three areas of service
offered at her agency - medical, behavioral health and substance abuse
counseling, and health education in schools.

Johnson said New Haven Medical and Community Services, which is
nationally recognized for excellence by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Health Organizations, offers free medical service to
residents of Macomb and St. Clair counties who are 10-21 years of age.

Insurance will be billed whenever possible and those younger than 18
require signed consent from a parent or guardian.

Youth in the 10-21 age range may obtain the following services free of
charge: routine and sports physicals, first aid, immunizations,
X-rays, medically prescribed lab tests, nutrition and weight control
counseling, acne and skin treatment, ongoing care for chronic
conditions, abstinence education, diagnosis and treatment for sexually
transmitted infections, mental health counseling, prevention and
counseling services for substance abuse, suicide and crisis
intervention, life management skills, wellness education, personal
hygiene, reproductive health education, family planning and prenatal
care.

Johnson said Spanish interpreters are provided if necessary and the
agency enrolls people who qualify to use Medicaid.

For more information, people may call New Haven Medical and Community
Services at 749-5173.