Project Prevent is a grant program of the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress, made possible by the Mark and Wendy Elwood Substance Abuse Fund.

Project prevent grant applications are due by the first business day of each month through April…

About half of the $1 million in matching grant funding to prevent local opioid abuse has been allocated to agencies ranging from preschools to those working with retirees.

The Project Prevent grant program, meant to encourage local residents to avoid drug addiction and abuse, is funded through the $1 million Mark and Wendy Elwood Substance Abuse Prevention Fund. It was created when the Elwoods agreed to donate $500,000 if the community matched that amount, which community members did…

One of the school programs already underway is the Botvin LifeSkills Training program which builds students’ self esteem and positive personal development.

“The idea: Those with solid self-esteem and a healthy outlook on life will be less likely to make poor choices that can lead to recreational drug use and addiction. LifeSkills also is meant to reduce violence and other high-risk behaviors, according to its promotional material.

The high school version of the class cuts teen drug abuse in half, according to a study in the World Journal of Preventive Medicine.

ASAP organizers say a recent national study shows that for each dollar invested in the LifeSkills curriculum, a community saves $45 in future mental health, substance abuse help, and criminal justice efforts.”

Read full article: An ounce of prevention_ Project Prevent