WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced that Ohio’s 14th Congressional District will receive $125,000 from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program to help Northeast Ohio battle the scourge of addiction in its local communities. This funding was specifically awarded to the Community Awareness and Prevention Association (CAPA). Founded in 1989 to prevent and intervene in drug and alcohol abuse in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools and communities, CAPA is comprised of parents, school and law enforcement personnel, business professionals, religious leaders, health providers and other community activists who are mobilizing at the local level to make their communities safer, healthier and drug-free.

“With Ohio being one of the states hit hardest by the opioid crisis, I know how critical it is for our communities to have access to the resources they need to effectively tackle addiction,” said Dave. “The unfortunate reality is that every day, over 20 million Americans continue their battle against addiction. We must do all we can to support our local organizations in their effort to prevent youth substance abuse, like Brecksville’s Community Awareness and Prevention Association. I applaud the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for recognizing the life-saving work of these local groups and look forward to seeing how this funding helps us continue to protect our communities in Northeast Ohio from the grasp of addiction.”

Created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, the DFC Support Program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the DFC Support Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.

“We are thrilled to be receiving continued support through ONDCP. This funding is critical to the success that the coalition has experienced,” said CAPA Coalition Director Kelly Lazar. “Through continued assessment of local conditions, sponsoring initiatives that promote awareness and education of substance abuse and misuse, and working with community-based partners to create policies that support prevention, our strategies have contributed to reducing the incidence of alcohol, tobacco and drug use among youth and adults.”

Dave, who is the Vice Chair of the House Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, has consistently worked to help the people of Northeast Ohio battle not only the opioid crisis, but all forms of substance abuse. Earlier this month, Dave visited the Lake County Drug Court to learn more about successful local efforts that promote treatment. Started in 2010, the Lake County Drug Court is a treatment-based, voluntary program that serves Lake County residents who have been charged with misdemeanors related to their problem with drug or alcohol abuse. In June,Dave introduced a bipartisan resolution alongside Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13) acknowledging the contributions of Addiction Professionals across the country who deliver quality, effective care to their patients and supporting evidenced-based care for those working to overcome addiction.

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