Article: Lawmaker Announces New Funding for Michigan-Based Anti-Drug Program

01 February 2001

Article: Lawmaker Announces New Funding for Michigan-Based Anti-Drug Program

Race Against Drugs Program to receive $2.8 million grant

By Michelle Andonie
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- U.S. Congressman Nick Smith (Republican of Michigan) joined celebrity NASCAR race car driver Ricky Craven on Capitol Hill January 31 to announce a $2.8 million Justice Department grant to the Race Against Drugs Program (RAD).

This program, developed through a public/private partnership between the National Child Safety Council, the Department of Justice, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and 23 motor sport organizations, is a nation-wide drug prevention program aimed at educating youths in the United States about the dangers of substance abuse.

RAD provides young people with creative classroom materials and other options to deal with the drug issues that face them on a day-to-day basis. Since its founding ten years ago, a national network of volunteers have launched more than 5,000 RAD programs at shopping malls, schools, communities and motor sports events throughout the United States.

This $2.8 million, 36-month grant is designed specifically to develop and evaluate a science-based comprehensive drug prevention initiative with a motor sports theme. This project includes research-driven materials for primary-school children, supported by technology including web sites and a CD-ROM. Additional supporting products include coloring books, comic books and motor sports posters with a drug prevention theme.

NASCAR driver Ricky Craven's participation in this program stems from the fact that RAD is in part sponsored by several motor sports organizations. Smith thanked Craven for his help, noting that public figures can be instrumental in gaining the attention of young people.

Smith, who has been fighting for increased funding for youth prevention programs, told reporters that "Race Against Drugs empowers parents and teachers to talk to their children about the dangers of drug use it empowers thousands of volunteers across the nation to spread this message, but most importantly, it empowers our young people to recognize and reject the pressures of abusing drugs."

Joining Smith and Craven at the press conference were a number of officials from government agencies that have monitored the success of Race Against Drugs.

John Lunt, chief of the Demand Reduction Section of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), said his agency "applauds Race Against Drugs for their continued success in developing an effective drug prevention program for the youth of our country," and added that the curriculum developed by RAD "will empower our youth to maintain a drug-free lifestyle during their most important developmental years."