Twelve programs on the local level received grants for preventing the use of ecstasy and other club drugs, according to an Oct. 17 press release from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).In announcing the $4 million in grants, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said that ecstasy, ketamine, rohypnol, GHB, and LSD are among the club drugs finding more acceptance among adolescents and college students.
"These grants will support efforts to help young people steer clear of dangerous club drugs such as ecstasy and rohypnol," said Thompson. "These awards will help young people recognize that club drugs can lead to date rape, addiction and death."
The funding, said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie, is designed to support communities where club drugs are an emerging problem.
Receiving the SAMHSA grants are: the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Tucson, $343,000; Social Advocates for Youth, San Diego/South Bay Calif., $343,000; the Community Action Partnership, Kern County, Calif., $341,212; California State University, Long Beach, $341,221; the Pittsburg Pre-School and Community Council, Contra Costa County, Calif., $342,568; and the Center for Drug-Free Living, Orlando, Fla., $343,000.
Also receiving grants were Gateway Community Services in Florida, $343,000; Washington County DHHS Commission of Children and Families, Parents and Youth Together program, Washington County, Ore., $338,856; the Oregon Partnership, Portland, $342,576. Phoenix Houses of Texas, Houston, $343,000; the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans in Texas, $327,127; and the Coalition Against Club Drug Abuse, Houston, Texas, $342,440.
