ESCANABA — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded nearly $3.75 million to 12 organizations across the state, including the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, to support community-based programs aimed at preventing substance use among school-age children.

The Sault Tribe’s funding will support prevention efforts in Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette and Schoolcraft counties.

The grants aim to help organizations implement youth-focused prevention strategies, including programs that expand access to positive extracurricular activities and strengthen youth knowledge, coping skills, decision-making and supportive connections.

State health officials said prevention remains a key component of Michigan’s plan to address substance use disorder, alongside harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

“Young people are more resilient when they have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and meaningful opportunities to build skills and confidence,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said. “These investments will help communities strengthen protective factors and support healthier outcomes for kids and families.”

Various prevention and skill-building programs are being funded by opioid settlement dollars through MDHHS grants and include:

— Family-strengthening supports and prevention education.

— Youth skill-building programs focused on decision-making and coping skills.

— Expanded access to structured out-of-school activities and evidence-based prevention programs.

— Community-based prevention efforts designed to delay the initiation of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

Michigan is expected to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040. Half of those funds will be directed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, while the remainder will go directly to county, city and township governments.

In announcing the grants, MDHHS cited studies showing that prevention programs can help reduce the risk of substance-related harm by delaying first use and strengthening protective factors before unhealthy patterns are established.

According to the department, individuals who try an illegal drug before age 15 are 6.5 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who wait until age 21 or older.

The department also reported that more than one in five publicly funded treatment admissions in 2024 involved people who began using drugs before age 17.

“Prevention is about giving young people tools and options before they ever face a crisis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive. “Investing in programs like mentorship and skill-building can help strengthen families and communities and reduce the risk of substance use.”

More information about substance use disorder resources and Michigan’s opioid settlement investments, as well as a full list of MDHHS substance use prevention grant awardees, is available at www.Michigan.gov/opioids.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.