HHS gives grants to prevent club drug abuse

Health and Human Services secretary Tommy Thompson has announced $8.8 million in grants to support efforts to prevent the abuse of club drugs like ecstasy, methamphetamines, inhalants, and other illegal substances. "These grants will help us protect our youth from the dangers of ecstasy and other club drugs," Thompson said. "Use of these drugs can lead not only to addiction but to unintended pregnancies, rape, HIV infection, and other communicable diseases." Awards were made in two groups--13 grants were issued to organizations to develop club drug prevention infrastructure, and 14 were given to groups implementing specific prevention programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Infrastructure grants were given to groups in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Prevention grants went to organizations in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.