PINEVILLE - The UNITE Bell County Drug Coalition will now have an extra $100,000 to help battle illegal drug activity within the county after U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers announced recently that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded nearly $800,000 in funding for southern and eastern Kentucky Drug Free Community programs.
According to the Bell County Coalition's Chairperson Cathy Woolum, the funding will be used to hire a full-time coalition director, help with the recruitment of volunteers, get involved more with schools, students and parents, among other activities.
In order to receive the funds, a grant had to be written by the local coalition.
“It's been a long hard road that we traveled, going from a small group of people to a county coalition. I would like to thank Hal Rogers for his dedication to his congressional district, along with UNITE Field Representative Liz Wilson, Karen Ingle, Paul Anglin, Leigh Powell, Gina Johnson, and Kim Taylor for helping us get this funding. Our biggest goal is to save the current generation of children, and empower them to say no [to drugs],” said Woolum.
“Community coalitions are critical to protecting our children and people from the devastating effects of drug abuse,” stated Hal Rogers. “These grants provide an infusion of federal dollars that will help expand anti-drug efforts throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky. This grant program will also further enhance Operation UNITE's efforts in the war against drugs.”
Justin Howard is a Staff Writer at the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at jhoward@middlesborodailynews.com.
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