On Overdose Awareness Day, Sherrill Announces Federal Grant for United for Prevention in Passaic County
Parsippany, NJ– Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced today that United for Prevention in Passaic County (UPinPC), led by William Paterson University, will receive a Drug-Free Communities Support Program federal grant. This grant will aid UPinPC in their mission to prevent and reduce youth substance use in Passaic County through education, communication, and direct outreach.
“I hear from parents across New Jersey who share my concerns as a mother about the prevalence of youth substance abuse–whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or vaping. Programs like UPinPC’s give our young people the communication tools to resist peer pressure, offer resources when they are in need of support, and help them enter adulthood on a strong footing. I am proud to help bring back federal dollars through grants like this one so we can educate the community and prevent overdose deaths in the future,” said Rep. Sherrill.
“William Paterson is proud to lead the UPinPC and through this partnership work with Passaic County youth to prevent and reduce substance abuse by empowering them to make healthy choices,” said University President Richard J. Helldobler. “We are grateful for Rep. Sherrill for her commitment to our youth, including securing vital support for this important work.”
United for Prevention in Passaic County is a county-wide coalition that seeks to engage all members of the community who are concerned about the problem of substance abuse in the county. Coalition members include students, parents, mental health providers, law enforcement members, and other prominent members of the community. The coalition works toward reducing the access and availability of drugs and alcohol to promote real and effective change in the county.
During her first term in office, Rep. Sherrill helped form the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a bipartisan effort to promote policies to end the addiction crisis. She was instrumental in securing critical funding for State Opioid Response Grants and Tribal Opioid Response Grants to help states to reduce overdose related deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Alongside Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03), Sherrill reintroduced the Solutions Not Stigmas Act last month, which bolsters substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs in New Jersey and nationwide.
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