SARATOGA SPRINGS -  Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand Wednesday announced the awarding of two grants totaling $250,000 from the Drug-Free Communities federal grants program.  These grants will go to support the Rensselaer County Underage Drinking Coalition and the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention. Both programs will use the money to further their efforts to reduce drug and alcohol abuse among youth.

The Rensselaer County Underage Drinking Coalition serves all of Rensselaer County by working with law enforcement, schools, the Court system and other community organizations to increase education about alcohol abuse.  The Saratoga Partnership for Prevention serves the Saratoga Springs City school district, where it works with schools to develop substance abuse policies, educate merchants and the public about alcohol sales, and support a peer-leadership program which provides education on the risks of drug abuse.  Both programs were among only 199 chosen from across the country.

The Drug-Free Communities provides grants of up to $125,000 per year to community organizations that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts.  To qualify for grants, all awardees must have at least a six-month history of working together on substance abuse initiatives, develop a long-term plan to reduce substance abuse, and participate in a national evaluation of the Drug-Free Communities program.