HTSAC to Stop Operations Next Week

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition will close on October 22 due to lack of funding.

“Grant money has sustained the work of the coalition over the last 11 years,” explained Leigh Caroll-Stump, chair of the HTSAC advisory board. “Unfortunately, prevention dollars are scarce due to the economic crisis and shift in the priorities of grant makers.”

HTSAC is known for its prevention efforts, which include evidence-based programs in local schools, public forums on the newest developments in substance use and abuse, and public service advertisements at local movie theaters. The organization has hosted public forums on topics such as inhalant abuse among youth, alcohol abuse among the elderly, the dangers of prescription drug abuse and tobacco cessation.

Programs offered by the organization include Al’s Pals, Too Good for Drugs, Strengthening Families and Project Alert for students ranging in age from 3 to 13. Last year, more than 2,600 children were involved in prevention programs through HTSAC.

Over the past 11 years, HTSAC has generated more than $2.1 million in federal, state and local grant money, 70 percent of which it invested in the community.

According to a press release issued Tuesday, HTSAC is a 2007 graduate from the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America's National Coalition Academy, and one of the only coalitions in the nation to address the three faces of substance abuse, which are prevention, treatment, and recovery.

The organization has also provided seed money and ongoing support to Spirit Works, a recovery community; funded transitional housing for men in recovery; created a position for a trained substance abuse screener at Olde Towne Medical Center; offered training and support to the local faith community in their efforts to provide compassionate assistance to their parishioners seeking relief from addiction; and provided information and expert advice on heroin addiction in a series of forums held in Poquoson.

In 2006, HTSAC received the Cruikshank “Spirit of the Community” Award from the United Way of Greater Williamsburg for its wide-ranging activities; in 2009 HTSAC was nominated again for the activities of its youth group F.R.E.E. (Friends Reaching Every End).

“HTSAC’s mission has always been to assess the needs of the community and then do whatever it takes to meet that need,” said the group’s interim director, Kymberley Lucas. “HTSAC will be missed.”