GROUP TARGETS DRUG ABUSE

BRADENTON - Drug and alcohol prevention topped the priority list as the
Bradenton Front Porch Community Revitalization Council put together its
preliminary budget Wednesday evening.

The dozen council members attending the workshop chose to dedicate $40,000
of the $100,000 budget for this year to programs or other measures tailored
toward substance abuse prevention. A committee to be created from the group
at a later date will break down the details.

"Substance abuse is a widespread demon in the community," said Joe Houston,
a council member.

The remainder of the council's money will go toward administrative costs, a
neighborhood needs assessment, job training, travel and training and
cultural arts programs.

But council members and those from the public who attended stressed the
need for programs that focus on early prevention of drugs and alcohol
abuse, and also programs to help addicts kick the habit.

The preliminary budget goes before the council at a meeting at 5:30 p.m.
July 10 at the Woodwinds Apartments community room, 1800 Woodwinds Drive.

The Office of Urban Opportunity for Front Porch Florida plans to dole out
$100,000 this budget year to the cities or counties with new Front Porch
communities in Florida. Gov. Jeb Bush designated Bradenton's Singletary,
Washington Park and Bradenton Village neighborhoods as Front Porch
communities this year.

The local Front Porch council, selected June 1 by Ward 5 residents, uses
state funds and its status to set up partnerships with service groups and
start programs to help the distressed neighborhoods.

In the Bradenton Housing Authority's application to the state, it indicated
that those three neighborhoods needed dozens of services and programs, such
as crime prevention, child care, computer training, substance abuse
prevention, educational opportunities and more.

Working with limited funds this year, the council decided to focus on just
substance abuse prevention, economic development and cultural arts, but
noted that the housing authority and the Central Community Revitalization
Agency might provide some of those services. And some services could be
paid through grants.

For example, the council recently signed a contract to obtain a $112,000
grant to establish adult literacy programs at the 13th Avenue Community
Recreation Center and the Church of Christ, 201 10th Ave. E.

The council had to set aside $5,000 - or 5 percent of its budget - to pay
the city, which will serve as its accountant. It also set aside $10,000 for
operating costs, including travel and training, administrative costs and
$500 for a needs assessment survey of the neighborhood.

BUDGET

. $40,000 - Substance abuse prevention programs/ services

. $25,000 - Job training

. $20,000 - Cultural arts development

. $10,000 - Operational costs

. $5,000 - Accountant