The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has announced that 18 New York State programs have been awarded a total of $2.25 million in funding through the national Drug Free Communities Support Program.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration directs the Drug Free Communities Support Program. This program provides grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions that are working to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.

"These grants are aimed at promoting citizen participation and coalition building in the effort to keep our families and communities drug-free," said OASAS Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo. "Our young people are the future of this great state and nation. We must do all we can to encourage them to make sound and healthy choices that do not include the use of drugs or alcohol."

Local award recipients and their coalitions are:

• Long Beach Medical Center for the Long Beach Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking;
• National Council on Alcoholism for the Putnam County Community Board Coalition in Carmel;
• West Islip Union School District for the West Islip Compass Coalition;
• Wyandanch Union Free School District;
• City of Mount Vernon for Mount Vernon Communities That Care;
• Archdiocese Drug Abuse/Prevention Program for the Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership in the Bronx;
• Town of Pelham for Pact - Parents and Community Together;
• Family Services of Westchester, Inc for the Port Chester Cares Community Coalition;
• Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Inc.