Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2006
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus (NM)
Copyright: 2006 Carlsbad Current-Argus
Contact:  http://www.currentargus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2549
Author: Dawn Bowen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CARLSBAD COMMUNITY COALITION WINS FEDERAL GRANT TO FUND FIGHT AGAINST 
DRUGS, GANGS

CARLSBAD A $100,000 federal grant has been awarded to a local
coalition that is committed to fighting drugs and gangs in Carlsbad.

The Carlsbad Community Anti-drug/gang Coalition Inc. recently heard 
the news that it's grant application to the Substance Abuse & Mental 
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) a division of the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services has been approved for the 
third consecutive year. Jay Melnick, who serves as program director 
for the coalition, said this year's grant is the third installment in 
a five-year federal grant program. He said SAMHSA has outlined 
specifically how the grant funding can be spent, and has set goals 
for the coalition to reach. Anti-drug and gang training and education 
for individuals, law enforcement officers, and students are among the 
specific activities funded by the grant. Other local programs and 
activities include the annual Prayer Walk held in connection with Red 
Ribbon Week, the Peer Helpers group at Carlsbad High School, and 
National Night Out a program that encourages neighbors to get 
together and meet each other, Melnick said. The coalition is 
currently working to set up a resource center in the Carlsbad Public 
Library that will provide information and resources that focus on 
drug and gang prevention. Melnick said the grant provides the 
necessary funds for promoting an awareness of drug problems in the 
community, and informing the citizens about ways they can be involved 
in preventing drugs and gangs. The coalition trains law enforcement 
officers and individuals to identify methamphetamine labs, he said. 
It also provides avenues for anonymously reporting suspected drug 
crimes to the authorities. Local hotlines include Eddy County 
Crimestoppers at 887-1888, and the Student Hotline and Caveman 
Crimestoppers for students at 887-SAFE. The coalition was organized 
three years ago with a mission "to build and strengthen the capacity 
of our Carlsbad community to create a safe, healthy, and drug and 
gang/crime free environment." Members of the coalition's community 
board include representatives of the business and church communities, 
public schools, law enforcement, the district attorney's office, 
health services, local youth, parents, and government officials. The 
community board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month 
in the planning room at City Hall. The next meeting will be held on 
Sept. 6. The public is always welcome, Melnick said. Melnick and Eve 
Flanigan, the coalition's evaluator and strategic planner, recently 
returned from a mid-year training session held by the Community 
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America in Henderson, Nev. Melnick said the 
weeklong training gave them the opportunity to meet with federal 
government anti-drug officials and other groups that are working for 
drug-free communities.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman