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The Drug Free Communities of Dallas County was rewarded by the White House.

The DFCDC received a $250,000 grant from Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crisis (CARA). The DFCDC is one of only 65 organizations across the country to receive the award.

DFCDC Executive Director Jerria Martin made the announcement Wednesday at a luncheon honoring local businesses and law enforcement for their support.

“Preventing youth substance will help keep our communities safe,” Martin said. “This CARA grant from the White House will help provide our local coalitions with the tools they need to apply the evidence-based prevention strategies we know will result in healthier outcomes for our youth population.”

The CARA grant program is a partnership between ONDCP and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aimed to remove drugs in  communities.

“We know that delaying substance use until after adolescence decreases the likelihood of a person developing a substance use disorder,” ONDCP Acting Director Regina Labelle said.  “This funding will help support the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission to expand evidence-based prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services by providing our local partners in Dallas County with the resources they need to reduce youth substance use.”

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum estimates between 70 and 90 percent of crime in the area are drug-related.

Vaughan Regional Medical Center CEO David McCormack said its impressive what the DFCDC has accomplished nationally.

Vaughan Regional Medical Center CEO David McCormack, Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn, Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson, Dallas County Circuit Clerk Lynnethia Robinson, Selma City Councilwomen Jannie Thomas and Lesia James, Dallas County Commissioner Jan Justice, Rex Jones of Cougar Oil and George Michael McDonald of Alabama News Network were among the high-profile officials to  receive an honor.

“We appreciate everything you do for Selma and Dallas County,” Martin said.

The event was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.