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GARDINER — Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, a coalition of local people working to improve health and the quality of life in Kennebec County, received almost $250,000 in additional funding from Maine Prevention Services.
The new funding will support HCCA’s tobacco prevention and control, substance use prevention, and youth engagement activities. The funding comes from both a return of Tobacco Settlement Funds in the state budget and other increases in state funding to MPS grantees and community partners. This funding is in addition to prior funding for the year.
As a result of the additional funding, HCCA’s new tobacco prevention and control, substance use prevention, and youth engagement activities will include:
Hiring an employee to work with schools and communities to reduce the impact of tobacco and vaping;
Working with the Kennebec County district attorney to reinforce the message that purchasing and reselling tobacco products–including vaping products–to people under age 21 is illegal;
Addressing substance use among “emerging adults,” individuals age 18-25;
Hiring another employee to serve as district youth coordinator and work on youth concerns and empowerment; and
Working specifically with LGBTQ+ youth to help reduce health disparities, with local LGBTQ+ youth serving as co-planners and implementers.
“I am worried about the number of youth vaping now — and how many of the youth involved with the legal system are vaping,” said Kennebec County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney about her work with HCCA. “I don’t think the youth understand that they are addicted to tobacco and nicotine–and that addiction to one substance is very often followed with dependence and addiction to another.
“There’s not a day that goes by without news about the negative impact of vaping and opioid use,” said Joanne Joy, HCCA executive director. “Having more funding to combat tobacco use, including vaping, means we can prevent more young people from experiencing the negative–and possibly deadly–consequences of use of tobacco products.”
“If there is a way I can help reduce the vaping, the dying young,” added Maloney, “then I am very interested in doing what I can. Showing a light on the laws is one way.”
“HCCA’s role is to promote healthy living for everyone in the community — especially young people,” said Joy. “When young people know there are community members who care about them and are interested in teaching them how to lead healthy lives, they are far less likely to misuse substances or become anxious or depressed.”
For more information about HCCA’s tobacco prevention and control, substance use prevention, and youth engagement activities, visit hccame.org.
