WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- With kids getting back into classrooms, federal leaders are making a push to protect them from drug use. The White House just announced around $94 million in grants that will go to local organizations for their Drug-Free Communities Support Program.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta says the money will be used for efforts like raising awareness about counterfeit pills and drugs laced with fentanyl, and boosting availability of Naloxone, a medicine that quickly reverses overdoses.
"This is an evidence-based approach. Time tested and evidence proven," Gupta said.
Advocates in the drug prevention community say this is a really important federal investment.
One of those advocates is Justin Phillips, the founder of 'Overdose Lifeline', an organization dedicated to fighting addiction. She started the group after losing her son Aaron to an overdose in 2013.
"This investment that this administration has made in harm reduction is crucial for us changing the tide, "Phillips said.
She praised the White House for giving the funds directly to local groups.
"Grassroots organizations are key to solving the crisis and the challenge, because we're the ones understanding what's happening really at the community level," Phillips said.
Although drug use among young people has gone down in recent years, overdose deaths have risen.
"We are saving lives. We are seeing progress made. But this is exactly why the work doesn't stop," Gupta said.
Phillips says local groups are trying to be creative in their approach to the issue.
"We really have to change our trajectory around 'just say no' and really speak to the root cause of why youth are turning to a substance in the first place," Phillips said.
She says investing in that work now will make a difference.
"We will have less individuals with substance abuse disorder in adulthood and less heartache for families," Phillips said.
Overdose Lifeline offers education and resources to help tackle substance use on their website.
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