Montgomery County isn't pulling punches when it comes to tackling youth mental health and substance use. By allocating $1.3 million in grant money, the County Department of Health and Human Services is lending its support to three local organizations that aim to tackle the challenges of youth vaping and substance abuse. This financial muscle comes from the well of funds collected from settlements with vaping heavy-hitters JUUL and Altria, entities many accuse of fanning the flames of youth substance issues, according to Montgomery County's website.
County Executive Marc Elrich laid it down straight: The bucks from JUUL and Altria are earmarked to mend the damage these companies have allegedly inflicted. "When we held JUUL and Altria accountable, the money coming to Montgomery County has to be used to help the young people who have been harmed by these companies’ actions," Elrich stated, as mentioned in the County's press release. Indeed, the grants are a direct response to the so-called vaping epidemic, especially where it's hit the hardest—Black and Latino communities.
The recipients roll out like a who of local heroes with the Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy, Identity, Inc., and Tree of Hope Association, Inc., all getting pieces of the pie. Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy is known for merging sports with life skills, banking on their "Kicking Life into Gear 2.0: Thriving Edition" program to keep kids on the straight and narrow. Identity, Inc. is taking things to the people, rolling out a "Substance Misuse Prevention & Education Peer Ambassador" program to press flesh and spread knowledge in high-need neighborhoods. And lastly, Tree of Hope Association, Inc. is gearing up to step into the smoking cessation arena, pegging its hopes on educational and support programs.
