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Courtesy Arturo Olivarez,

The funds will be used for direct prevention services in at least 10,000 children and adults over a five-year period

Laredo, TX –  U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $1,874,995 in federal funding to combat alcohol and substance use in Webb County. The funds will be used for direct prevention services in at least 10,000 children and adults over a five-year period.

The funding was awarded by the Department of Health Human Services for Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN)’s Laredo Drug Prevention Alliance (LDPA) project. The LDPA project aims to:

Update a community needs assessment annually to identify trends and patterns in alcohol, vaping, tobacco, and other drug use;
Establish and maintain a Youth Advisory Board and an Adult Advisory Board to help inform and guide the delivery of program activities and services; and, Implement evidence-based and informed practices to include:

Universal Prevention Services, which are designed to serve “all students.”
Selective Prevention Services, which are designed to work with “students at higher risk for substance use or misuse.”
Indicated Prevention Services, which are designed to work with “students who are experiencing early signs of substance use and other related problem behaviors.”

“Investing in programs that reduce alcohol and substance use is not only a moral imperative, but a transformative act that uplifts our community as a whole. We must continue to prioritize the health and success of our youth by providing support and resources,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This federal funding addresses alcohol and substance use problems by allowing SCAN to work directly with our schools to implement crucial prevention strategies. I want to recognize SCAN CEO, Isela Dabdoub, for her leadership in addressing alcohol and substance use within our community.”