Seven Arkansas Coalitions Awarded Significant Federal Grants
The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) announced a milestone that will ripple across the state: seven of its Coalition Partnership Empowerment (COPE) coalitions have been awarded the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant from the Office of National Drug Control Program. The funding is steady and multi-year—$125,000 annually for five years—bringing each coalition to a total of $625,000. Taken together, that’s $4,375,000 directed to targeted communities in Arkansas to address substance use and strengthen local health and safety. It’s not just a check; it’s runway for sustained, local work where it matters most.
What DFC Grants Mean for Communities
The Drug Free Communities program is designed to shift the local environment around substance use—especially for youth. DFC-funded coalitions bring together many parts of a community, from schools and law enforcement to faith leaders and parents, to align strategies and send a consistent message. Independent evaluations have shown that these grants help reduce youth substance use, which is the program’s central aim. Because young people face unique risks, early and coordinated prevention can change their trajectory. When communities move in step, youth see and feel more support for substance-free choices—and those choices add up.
Partnership, Training, and a Shared Win
CADCA’s President and CEO, Major General (Retired) Barrye L. Price, underscored how collaboration made this possible. He said, "This is a phenomenal achievement by ARORP, COPE, and CADCA, showcasing the possibilities we realize in partnership. These seven community-based coalitions are now self-sustainable due to this Federal recognition. Everyone involved in the training and education of these coalitions should take great pride in this success." The point lands: strong partnerships, consistent training, and shared purpose create staying power for community coalitions as they take on substance use.
Coalitions Receiving DFC Grants
The following coalitions have been recognized with DFC Grants:
- Prevention-Awareness-Youth-Support (PAYS) Coalition
- Sebastian County Opioid Task Force
- The Opioid Prescription Drug and Synthetics Coalition (O.P.P.S.), formerly known as Healing in the Hood
- Newton County Partners in Prevention Coalition
- Greene County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition
- Amazing Angels Coalition
- Carroll County Hometown Health Coalition
Local Investment in Community Health Initiatives
These federal awards didn’t appear out of thin air. Through the COPE project, ARORP put city and county opioid settlement funds to work to help coalitions grow. Each of the 13 participating coalitions received $25,000 to build capacity—things like infrastructure, planning, and readiness for the rigorous DFC grant process. In total, ARORP’s initial investment came to $536,607. That early, strategic support helped coalitions organize, apply, and now, in seven cases, secure five years of federal funding. It’s a clear example of local dollars laying the groundwork for larger, sustained investment in prevention.
The DFC Program at a Glance
Established in 1997, the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program strengthens community-based coalitions working to prevent youth substance use. DFC-backed coalitions tailor their strategies to local conditions, because local problems demand local solutions. The program also elevates youth voices and leadership so young people see that many of their peers choose to live substance-free. That kind of peer awareness matters; it makes prevention real, relatable, and rooted in everyday life.
About the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP)
ARORP brings local governments together to confront the opioid crisis with a practical, community-first approach. Formed with the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties, ARORP stewards opioid settlement funds to where they can do the most good. The mission is straightforward and comprehensive: reduce overdose deaths by aligning prevention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery—while keeping community dialogue at the center. The work is coordinated, but the focus stays local, where relationships and results grow.
CADCA’s Role
CADCA is a backbone organization for prevention. It equips coalitions with training, tools, and ongoing support to build healthier, drug-free communities in the United States and beyond. More than 7,000 coalitions participate in CADCA’s network, sharing learning and strengthening strategies. With that support, local coalitions can move from intention to implementation, and from short-term projects to durable change. That’s the quiet promise behind these grants: structured help, steady resources, and room for communities to lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Drug Free Communities Grant?
The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant is a federal program that funds local coalitions working to prevent youth substance use. It supports community-driven strategies so solutions fit local needs and conditions.
Who is involved in the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership?
ARORP is a collaboration formed with the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties. It unites local governments to manage opioid settlement funds and advance prevention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery efforts across communities.
How much funding did each coalition receive?
Each awarded coalition receives $125,000 per year for five years, totaling $625,000 per coalition. Across the seven coalitions, that brings $4,375,000 into Arkansas communities.
How does CADCA support local coalitions?
CADCA provides training, tools, and ongoing guidance to help coalitions plan, implement, and sustain effective prevention strategies. It also connects coalitions within a national network to share experience and strengthen their impact.
Why is addressing youth substance use important?
Focusing on youth prevention helps reduce risks before they take hold and supports healthier choices at a pivotal stage of life. When communities work together—schools, families, local leaders—young people see consistent support for staying substance-free.
