Several area law enforcement agencies were among the recipients of grants from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for drug use prevention education.

Statewide the attorney general awarded $3 million in grants to 152 police departments and sheriff’s offices agencies for programs in public schools.

According to a news release, the funds must be used to establish or maintain drug abuse prevention education and awareness programs for students during the 2018-19 school year.

The grant recipients are required to include over-the-counter and prescription drug abuse prevention education in their programs, according to the release.

“Age-appropriate substance abuse prevention education every year, at every grade level is key,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Evidence-based prevention education helps students develop the skills they need to make good decisions, stay drug-free, and live healthier lives.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, D.A.R.E. programs and school resource officer drug use prevention programs were eligible to apply for the grants. All programs must be conducted with the public school superintendent of each school district where programming will take place.

The Drug Use Prevention Grant Fund supports programs such as Botvin LifeSkills Training.

Read full article: Northeast Ohio departments awarded drug use prevention education grants