Power Of Putnam Receives Drug-Free Grant

For the second time, Power of Putnam has received a five-year Drug-Free Communities Support Grant.

Coalition Director Bill Gibson said the $125,000 grant helps the organization fight youth substance abuse.

“This Drug Free Communities Grant is the backbone,” Gibson said. “We have other funding streams, but this is the main one that fuels our prevention work here in Putnam County.”

During the first five-year grant, Gibson said the county saw improvement in four key indications of youth substance abuse. These include substance abuse in the past 30 days, availability, perception of risk and parental/peer disapproval.

In 2015, 16.7 percent of Putnam County youth reported drinking alcohol in a 30-day use period. That number fell to 15.9 percent over the last five years. Gibson said the decrease may look small but is a huge win for Power of Putnam.

“Alcohol is the focus of a lot of prevention attention cause a lot of substance abuse starts with alcohol,” Gibson said. “Our data shows that kids who use alcohol regularly start at the age of 13 and a half.”

From 2015 to 2019, perception of risk in using drugs increased from 65.7 percent to 74.7 percent. Perception of parental approval increased from 81.2 percent to 93.3 percent. Peer disapproval of drugs and alcohol increased from 72.2 percent to 93.3 percent.

Gibson said 31 percent of youth say alcohol is hard to acquire.

The grant, work with local schools and organizations help Power Of Putnam. But Gibson said every individual can also be part of the solution.

“We are a community organization,” Gibson said. “Everybody’s participation is what makes this work. I invite anyone concerned about this problem to get involved. Everyone has something to bring to the table.”