Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, announced SAFE in Sag Harbor has been awarded $125,000 in federal funding from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Program in its mission to prevent youth substance abuse.
“Nearly every Long Islander knows someone who has struggled with substance abuse. It’s decimated too many families and affected those from nearly every walk of life,” said Congressman Zeldin. “Local organizations, like SAFE in Sag Harbor, are making the difference on the ground in our communities, bringing stakeholders throughout our community together to prevent and fight youth substance abuse, and this funding will ensure they have the resources to continue carrying out this critical mission.”
“We are thrilled to be a recipient of an additional five years of funding from ONDCP to continue the momentum and positive community results SAFE has had in Sag Harbor. We know the impact COVID19 is having on mental health and alcohol and other drug use and anticipate the need for prevention strategies to increase,” said SAFE in Sag Harbor Executive Director Kym Laube. “This funding will help us continue our efforts and implement evidence based practices for positive community change.”
SAFE in Sag Harbor prides itself on being “a coalition of parents, educators, representatives of law enforcement, students, members of the business community, local media, community organizations and others gathering together to show our kids all the fun and exciting things there are to do in our incredible community without the use of alcohol and drugs.”
In December 2020, Congressman Zeldin voted to fund the Drug-Free Communities Program at $102 million, a $750,000 increase over the previous year.