WEIRTON — An area organization is among those receiving a portion of $1 million awarded to West Virginia communities through the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program. 

The Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network received $125,000 on behalf of the Advocates for Substance Abuse Prevention coalition. 

The funding, aimed at assisting in efforts to prevent substance abuse, was announced by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday. 

“Along with keeping illegal drugs off our streets and ensuring those who seek out help are able to find treatment, preventing substance abuse in the first place is critical to halting the opioid epidemic and keeping our communities safe,” Capito said. “During my time as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, I worked hard to ensure the ONDCP has the resources it needs to help local leaders implement innovative solutions to address the drug crisis. I am excited to see this funding come to our state, and I will continue to advocate for programs that help prevent drug abuse.” 

ASAP focuses on efforts to reduce substance abuse in Brooke and Hancock counties, in particular with youth and families, through community education and community events. 

“In order to effectively end the opioid epidemic in our state, we must prevent West Virginia’s next generation from developing substance use disorders. The road to recovery is long, but we will not reach the end if we don’t dedicate real resources to awareness and prevention. I’m happy this funding is coming to West Virginia to enable our local coalitions to continue their important work. I’m also proud that West Virginians from Jackson County were at the White House today participating in a roundtable with President Trump to shine a light on the opioid epidemic in West Virginia,” Manchin said.

Other organizations receiving funding included:

• $125,000 to Community Connections on behalf of the Mercer County Substance Abuse Prevision Coalition.

• $125,000 to the Jackson County Health Department on behalf of the Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition.

• $125,000 to the Morgan County Partnership Coalition.

• $125,000 to the Regional Family Resources Network on behalf of the Putnam Wellness Coalition

• $125,000 to the Strong Through Our Plan Coalition.

• $125,000 to the United Way of the River Cities on behalf of the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership Coalition.

• $125,000 to Youth Services System Inc. on behalf of the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.