Perrin Family Foundation Awards Grant To Substance Abuse Program

RIDGEFIELD — The Perrin Family Foundation recently awarded a $15,000 grant to Positive Directions Center for Prevention & Recovery that will be used to fund start-up costs associated with Positive Directions’ new Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment program.

In announcing the grant, Nancy Holland, program assistant for the Perrin Family Foundation, said that the new program for adolescents provided young adults with access to a treatment alternative that was not widely available and for which there was a demonstrable need. Ms Holland stated that the foundation’s grant was consistent with its mission of providing opportunities for young adults to lead productive lives through supportive family networks and programs that promoted physical and mental health.

Marty Hauhuth, executive director of Positive Directions, said that the grant will be used primarily to fund development and program costs associated with the center’s treatment and prevention programs for young adults and teens throughout Fairfield County.

Positive Directions introduced the Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment program last fall after a communitywide research process demonstrated a need for noninstitutional treatment programs serving young adults. According to Ms Hauhuth, Fairfield County has one of the highest incidences of teenage drug and substance abuse in the country.