The Shield Coalition in Indianola, Clinton Substance Abuse Council in Clinton, Grade A Plus in Burlington, and Story County Prevention Policy Board in Ames will each receive $100,000 to start Drug Free Community Programs in their communities. The eight communities that are receiving renewal grants are: Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Marshalltown, Mason City, Davenport-Bettendorf, and Sioux City.
"It's important, especially now, that we help our communities help themselves. I'm very pleased that additional communities in Iowa and across the nation will have resources to fight drugs and the local level," Grassley said. "The war on drugs is most effectively fought at the grassroots."
Grassley sponsored legislation in 1997 that provided grants to coalitions and agencies that help communities fight local drug use. Non-profit, charitable and educational organizations, as well as local governments, are eligible to receive funding through this DFCA program. To qualify for a grant, the entity must form a coalition that includes a representative from each of these categories: youth, parents, business, media, schools, youth-serving groups, law enforcement, religious organizations, civic volunteer and fraternal groups, health care professionals, state or local government, and one other organization working to reduce substance abuse. Currently, Grassley is working to extend this legislation.