LOCAL ALCOHOL PREVENTION GROUP GETS GRANT

TEAM (Together Erasing Alcohol Misuse) Athens County has been awarded $28,
660 by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS)
to assist in dealing with alcohol and other drug abuse needs, along with
mobilizing and promoting healthy youth development in Athens County.

With the support of the Taft administration, 14 grants totaling $515, 000
have been awarded to community drug-free coalitions statewide for fiscal
year 2002. In order to qualify for these grants, coalitions had to consist
of at least four collaboration entities. In this area, the following groups
are part of the resulting coalition: Health Recovery Services, Inc., Rural
Action, Athens City-County Health Department and the Athens County
Sheriff's Department, as well as numerous individual partners.

In a news release, Earl Cecil, director of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and
Mental Health Services Board (317 Board) serving Athens, Hocking and Vinton
Counties, stated, "This community has always made the well-being of our
youth a high priority. With these funds we can identify need and the best
ways to reach young people before they become involved in behaviors
destructive to themselves and the community."

ODADAS plans, initiates and coordinates an extensive system of alcohol,
tobacco and other drug-addiction services designed to educate the public
and prevent substance abuse. In the release, ODADAS Director Luceille
Fleming said, "Community coalitions have been proven to be an effective
method for bringing the organizations and individuals together who must
work together for the health of children and families. These grants will
help mobilize and encourage communities to expand upon that commitment."