CAMA, the Coalition Against Methamphetamine Abuse in Clark and Edgar counties, has received a $98,686 federal grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to support their ongoing work combating substance abuse.

With their new funding, CAMA has hired a director, Kristin Chittick, a long-time leader in the organization. In addition to creating this full-time position, CAMA plans to use the grant to create a Web site and increase services to communities in the form of drug-free events and support to local groups fighting drug abuse.

CAMA will also develop leadership training for both CAMA and CAMA Teens. CAMA Teens began in 2003 as a peer group discussing the dangers of drug abuse. Now, CAMA Teens boasts 40 members and elected officers, along with a reputation for doing good work in the community. In October 2005, the group organized a “Battle of the Bands” that attracted over 255 students from area towns. In December, the teens auctioned gingerbread houses to raise money and provided cookies and candy wreaths to the Lighthouse Mission in Terre Haute and area nursing homes.

CAMA was one of 176 groups nationwide to receive the grant.