Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002
Source: Jackson Sun News (TN)
Copyright: 2002 The Jackson Sun
Contact:  http://www.jacksonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482
Author: Tajuana Cheshier

JACKSON - ANTI-DRUG GROUP RECEIVES $83K GRANT FOR CAMPAIGN

The Anti-Drug Coalition of Jackson-Madison County received a 
financial boost from the United States Department of Justice to aid 
in its drug awareness campaign for West Tennessee youth.

For two years the coalition has worked with various programs such as 
Operation Hope, a youth based tutorial and after-school program. The 
coalition has also been involved with family counseling services and 
helped produce drug awareness literature.

A grant in the amount of $83,404 was awarded to the program last 
month. Officials said the funding is important for the group to reach 
its goals.

"Anything that can be done to keep the issue of alcohol and drug 
abuse before the public is extremely necessary," said Hilda Little, 
coordinator.

The coalition meets every second Tuesday of each month and has about 
50 community members including Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics 
Investigator Lt. Barry Michael who leads a class for parents in 
detecting drug use in their children.

"I've been helping out for about a year," Michael said. "I try to 
help parents look for symptoms or behavior that could possibly mean 
their kids are involved in drugs."

The coalition has four major objectives: awareness; collaboration 
with other agencies; prevention and working with families. Little 
said the coalition is available to conduct seminars for outside 
groups and organizations on anti-drug awareness.
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