Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $650,000 for Opioid and Drug Prevention Programs on the Eastern Shore

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $650,000 in U.S. Department of Justice funding to help implement Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore mentoring programs for youth affected by opioid and other substance misuse. 

“As the opioid epidemic devastates communities across the state each year, drug overdose is claiming the lives of more and more young Marylanders. Early prevention is just one of the many ways we can help win the fight against opioids and other substance misuse,” said the lawmakers. “With proper interventions and more community support, we can help curb drug use and improve outcomes for young people who are the most at risk of developing a substance use disorder.”

The funding was made available through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) FY 2023 Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Misuse grant program. The federal funds will be used to help implement the Youth Mentoring Program to benefit children impacted by opioids, their families, mentors, and communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Through this program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore will partner with local health departments to provide seminars on opioid and drug use as well as additional training through the learning exchange.

The OJJDP FY 2023 Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Misuse grant seeks to enhance and expand mentoring services for children and youth impacted by opioids and other drug misuse. The OJJDP aims to assist youth and their families negatively affected by opioids and other substances, especially youth in historically marginalized and underserved communities who will benefit the most from prevention and intervention programs. The program's goal is to improve outcomes (such as improved academic performance and reduced school dropout rates) for youth impacted by opioids and other substance misuse through mentoring.

Senators Van Hollen and Cardin worked to secure $415 million for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in the Senate fiscal year 2024 appropriations package to further support efforts to connect young people impacted by opioids and other drug misuse with the resources they need to live healthy and stable lives.