Funds available for Meth support groups, projects

COCHISE COUNTY – The Cochise County Substance Abuse Coalition (CCSAC) announces that it has funding available for projects, support groups, awareness events or any other grassroots startup community program committed to supporting friends and family members of individuals addicted to methamphetamine.                                                                                          

“This is a new funding opportunity for grassroots groups or programs not previously funded,” explains Karla Jensen Coalition member. “There is such a need for support, education and awareness for the ‘victims’ of meth addiction – the addict’s friends and families. We have several thousand dollars that we want to use to fund local efforts right now. Typical funding amounts will range between $500.00 and $2,000.00”

 Funding for the CCSAC comes through a grant from the provided by the Arizona Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, Division for Substance Abuse Policy. Thirty thousand dollars was granted to the coalition for a combination of projects and education efforts focused on educating and involving the community in awareness of the “meth epidemic.”

 According to Jensen, “We have several thousand dollars that can help a start up group with items such as purchasing materials, renting a meeting space, or developing educational documents. There are many options because there are currently so little resources.”

 The remaining funding must be expended by June 30, 2008, the end of the grant cycle. Renewal of funding for the 2009 fiscal year will depend on grant provisions for the coalition in the upcoming year. To obtain an application for funding, please contact Harold Graham at Southeast Arizona Behavioral Health Services New Turf at 459-6377.