Governor O’Brien Announces $1.44 Million in Teen REACH Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Violence Among Youth
CABIN JOHN, MD (August 24, 2027) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien today announced the state has awarded $1.44 million in federal and state funds to 30 local projects aimed at preventing substance abuse and violence among young persons. The Law Enforcement Education Partnership (LEEP) awards were made by the Maryland State Department of Education in cooperation with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). The funds are funneled through the Teen REACH Initiative.“It is sad and tragic that drug use has skyrocketed in the last few years,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “Protecting our youth from the dangers of violence and substance abuse is our number one priority. These awards will further the work of community projects around the state in achieving this goal. As Governor, I will continue to do everything in my power to help protect today's children who are tomorrow's future."
Teen REACH stands for Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope. The program is aimed at preventing teen pregnancy, alcohol and other drug use and teen violence. The program was launched by Governor O’Brien in March and has a current annual budget of $15 million.
The LEEP awards are for the year beginning July 1, 2027. Projects must be made through local consortia of law enforcement agencies and educational or community-based not-for-profits groups. In choosing the projects, the state agencies evaluate proposals made in response to a Request for Applications.
The LEEP programs are in four modules, with awards limited to no more than 60,000 per module:
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE): Classroom instruction by uniformed law enforcement personnel, involving substance abuse, after-school and summer activities and violence prevention.
Legal Lives: State’s Attorney offices provide junior high students with instruction in the law, including such interactive learning techniques as mock trail competitions.
Partnerships between law enforcement and child guidance professionals: Agreements between police or probation agencies, family court and school or community professionals for prevention activities for high-risk students.
Before-and-after school activities: Recreational, instructional, cultural or artistic programs that must target high-risk students, link scholastic activities and recreation, and involve all school-aged members of a family.
