Manchester officials say more federal funds could help prevent student drug use
Grants used to help support students' mental health
Grants used to help support students' mental health
Grants used to help support students' mental health
Manchester education officials are asking for more federal money to stop illegal drugs from spreading through the city's schools.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, and 10 Manchester community and educational leaders got together Thursday to talk about how bad the substance misuse issue in schools really is.
The Drug Enforcement Administration said that in 2022 alone, it seized 60 million pills, and a majority were laced with fentanyl.
Education officials in Manchester said they're worried about how fast drugs are spreading throughout the city's schools, something they said is largely fueled by social media.
"With respect to social media and how it's being used as a tool to sell drugs to our students, it's really something we need to act on the federal level," Pappas said.
The meeting was an opportunity to show how federal dollars are being spent by local organizations and why more money is needed to help prevent drug use and support students' mental health.
"To support student behavioral health is critical, so we're all moving in the same direction," said grant project director Stacy Champey.
Officials said $7.6 million in grant money was given to implement Project Aware, allowing Manchester high schools to add clinicians from the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, along with a mental health and school safety awareness campaign for all 21 schools to launch next October.
"You can't really put a price tag on that," Pappas said. "It's making sure kids understand what threats are out there and know the pathway to a healthy lifestyle."