Fayetteville colleges get $900K in grants to tackle substance abuse. Here are 5 things to know

Recently, both Fayetteville State University and Methodist University received a combined total of more than $900,000 in grants to cover drug and alcohol recovery programs on their campuses.

Here's what to know about the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services grant designed to help prevent substance abuse on campuses in the state and how it is affecting local universities.

What is the Collegiate Recovery Program Grant?

The funding to set up recovery programs at nine universities across the state. The grants were given as part of the state's effort to tackle and minimize student substance abuse across North Carolina.

What are the funds for?

According to news releases from the universities, the funds are designed to be used in implementing programs that both educate and help with substance abuse on campus while giving recovering students, staff and faculty a safe and drug-free space along with social activities.

How much is the grant?

Currently, more than $3 million in grants have been awarded statewide. Of those, more than $500,000 was awarded to Methodist University and almost $400,000 was awarded to Fayetteville State University.

Who benefits from the grant?

The Collegiate Recovery Program Grant is designed to benefit all members of the campus, including faculty and staff struggling with substance abuse. The grants will fund programs that will continue to maintain and improve the safety and health of people on both campuses. Programs created from the grants will also provide and improve student support on and around the university's campuses.

What programs should we expect from the grant?

According to a news release, Fayetteville State University is set to enhance its current Bronco Whole Collegiate Recovery Community Program, as well as implement Bystander and Mental Health First Aid training programs.

Methodist University’s recovery program, Roaring4Recovery, is set to restart this spring with hopes of improving the already existing student organization. Funds given to the university are planned to be used in partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College over the course of two years. The program will also bring the employment of two certified peer-support specialists and four student ambassadors on the campus.

Reporter Victoria Walker can be reached at vwalker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State, FTCC, Methodist University, receive state grant