The PAYS (Prevention Awareness Youth Support) Coalition, a group of community members focused on enhancing the quality of life for youth in Baxter and Marion Counties through drug awareness and education, has been awarded the Federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant. This grant, amounting to $125,000 annually for five years, will allow the group to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance abuse.
PAYS applied for the DFC Grant in March, seeking resources to support health, safety, and prevention education for local youth. The DFC Support Program is designed to strengthen community coalitions and their partnerships, fostering a sustained reduction in youth substance use.
The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) announced that PAYS is one of only seven coalitions across the state to receive this prestigious grant, contributing to a total investment of $4,375,000 aimed at addressing substance abuse in Arkansas communities.
Other coalitions awarded the DFC Grant include:
– Sebastian County Opioid Task Force (Fort Smith)
– Opioid Prescription Drug and Synthetics Coalition (Blytheville)
– Newton County Partners in Prevention Coalition (Jasper)
– Greene County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition (Paragould)
– Amazing Angels Coalition (Lake Village)
– Carroll County Hometown Health Coalition (Green Forest)
Representatives from PAYS and S.E.A.D.s (Student Education Against Drugs) will attend a press conference and luncheon hosted by ARORP on Thursday in Little Rock to honor the seven coalitions.
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