LCC awards $25,000 in grants
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Ripley County's LCC (Local Coordinating Council against Substance Abuse) has awarded over $25,000 in grants for 2005, according to Sandy Howard, executive director.

Grants were awarded for projects that are targeting substance abuse prevention/education, treatment/intervention, and criminal justice/law enforcement.

The program is supported from fees paid to the court in Ripley County by those who have committed alcohol and other drug related offenses.

Receiving grants for intervention/treatment were Safe Passage with $3,400 for training and materials and Ripley County Probation with $3,125 for an adolescent drug/alcohol education program.

Five groups received grants for prevention/education. Those included the YMCA with $3,000 for a Healthy Kids Safety Day/Kids Kick Drugs Karate Day; DIRECTIONS with $2,800 for Kids on the Block and a Think Smart-Stay Smart Safe Program.

Also, the Versailles Church of Christ and Shelby Christian Church with $2,500 for a "True Lies" event in October; Big Brothers Big Sisters with $2,500 for operating expenses; and Prevent Child Abuse with $1,500 for operating expenses.

In the Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice category, three groups received grants. Those included the Osgood Police Department with $3,520 and the Versailles Police Department with $2,000 for Cameras "Drug Buy" Money; the Ripley County Prosecutor with $3,000 for trainings.

Awards from the LCC Current Operating Fund included $500 to Family Connections for the Annual Family Fun Day Picnic and the LCC for Consumer Booklets, the cost to be determined.

The county's LCC meets on a monthly basis with membership from local law enforcement agencies and community service groups. Meetings are held in the Ripley County Extension office.