SENATORS SNOWE AND COLLINS ANNOUNCE $225,000 IN DOJ GRANT FUNDING TO VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, INC., TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced today that Volunteers of America Northern New England, Inc., based in Brunswick, will receive $225,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The funding will support the Weed and Seed project, an effort to reduce the use, possession, and sale of illegal substances. "Substance abuse is a critical issue both in Maine and throughout the nation," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "We are pleased that the Weed and Seed project has been funded to help address this issue in Maine."

This funding will be used to focus law enforcement efforts on reducing the use, possession, and sale of illegal substances through a regional multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement task force.

Community policing goals include the implementation of Enhanced Neighborhood Policing to all county communities, mobilizing individuals to work in collaboration with law enforcement and service agencies to identify, address, and resolve problem areas within their locale.

Prevention, intervention, and treatment goals include the development of safe haven strategies that provide programs/events and services to meet the needs of underserved populations, such as the elderly and older adolescents.

Neighborhood restoration goals include enhancing services (law enforcement and social) in targeting subsidized housing developments to reduce crime related incidences and increase opportunities for resident populations, such as safer school programs, safe haven activities for youth, employment training and support for adults.