Congressman Panetta Announces $125,000 in Federal Funding for Santa Cruz Youth Substance Treatment and Prevention Programs

SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced a $125,000 federal grant to support the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency youth substance abuse programs. The grant was awarded by White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

"As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates drug and alcohol abuse, this type of grant funding is critical for our communities on the central coast of California. Such funding will help ensure that Santa Cruz has the resources necessary to effectively address all new and emerging substance trends, such as heroin, alcohol, meth, K2, spice, bath salts, fentanyl, and vaping," said Congressman Panetta. "I will continue to work with this administration so that our communities continue to have this type of the financial backing for programs that protect our at-risk populations and support essential treatment and prevention services."

Since 1997, Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program has funded mutually reinforcing programs, strategies, and activities in schools, health care, media, youth-serving and faith-based organizations, law enforcement and businesses to address each community's unique conditions related to substance abuse.

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