Dunn announces $12,000 grant for substance use prevention in Enumclaw schools

Aug. 9, 2023

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Wednesday announced that King County is awarding $12,000 to the Enumclaw School District to support its programs that work to prevent and reduce substance use, specifically cannabis, commercial tobacco, and vapor products, in middle and high schoolers.

“I am very pleased that this grant will fund the efforts of Enumclaw students who are helping their friends and peers live free of substance use,” Dunn said. “We know that teenage substance use correlates with poor mental health, risk of addiction, and difficulty with school. Preventing drug use early on is key to helping kids grow into healthy and happy adults. Thank you to the Enumclaw Thrive Clubs for the fantastic, important work you do!”

The funding will support Thrive Clubs, a program of the Enumclaw Youth Empowered coalition at the Enumclaw School District, a Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative grantee funded by the WA State Health Care Authority and King County. The clubs work to prevent substance use, encourage wellness and meaningful connections, and empower students to thrive. With this grant, students in Thrive Clubs will lead in developing a messaging campaign that shares the benefits of not using cannabis, tobacco, and vapor. The grant will also support Enumclaw student attendance at the annual Prevention Summit in Spokane, which provides training and networking opportunities for youth and others working toward the prevention of substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors.

"Thrive Club is extremely grateful for the recent CTV grant dollars recently awarded to us! We look forward to continuing prevention work this upcoming school year in Enumclaw,” said LouAnn Saywer, Enumclaw Youth Empowered Coalition Coordinator. “Our focus this year will be on informative, positive and effective substance use prevention messaging! Our high school students are excited to continue sharing these messages with their peers and younger students."

The funding is provided through Public Health — Seattle & King County’s Cannabis, Tobacco, and Vaping Prevention (CTV) Community Grants, which fund organizations seeking to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors to reduce youth use of tobacco, vapor products, and cannabis.