Jackson State University’s Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition (MJCPC) has been re-awarded a $310,756 substance abuse prevention block grant from the Department of Mental Health Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.
“We are excited to be able to continue prevention education in our public schools, colleges, and community,” said Dr. Melinda Todd, director and principal investigator for MJCPC. “We see positive results of our training and prevention efforts from our participants.”
The grant helps to provide prevention assistance that reduces risk factors and increases protective factors that offset substance abuse in children, youth, and families according to Henry Thompson, senior prevention specialist.
MJCPC has been providing services to the Jackson metro area for the past 27 years, serving school ages K-12, college, elderly and parent populations.
“The grant helps us implement science-based curriculums relevant to the outlined risk factors associated with drug use in the Jackson community,” said Thompson.
MJCPC is also able to provide the community with technical assistance, written materials on community mobilizing, and conduct substance abuse prevention training to youth and adults.
A stronger, healthier and well-informed community is the overall benefit of the program, said Todd.