Gillette Provides HOPE for South Boston Drug Crisis with Half-Million in Grants; Mayor Menino, Community and Political Leaders Recognize Recipients of First Phase of Grants.

BOSTON -- With a substance abuse relapse rate of 90% and heroin available for as little as $4 a bag, significant steps must be taken to address the drug problem in South Boston. The Gillette Company (NYSE:G) today named 16 community organizations as the first beneficiaries of the Gillette Healthy Opportunity for Prevention and Empowerment (HOPE) Grants, a three-year, $500,000 commitment to address the neighborhood's substance abuse problem. The organizations will use the initial $175,000 in grants to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse, support after-school prevention programs and other alternative activities for adolescents and fund treatment programs.

South Boston had the highest death rates from substance abuse of any neighborhood in the City between 2001 and 2003, more than twice the overall rate of Boston. In 2003, it had a rate of heroin overdoses that was almost three times the rate of Boston as a whole.

"These grants will go directly to organizations on the frontlines of preventing and treating abuse of heroin, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, OxyContin and other substances that have afflicted this tight-knit neighborhood," said Cathy Chizauskas, vice president, Civic Affairs at Gillette. "Substance abuse can literally drain the life out of a family or a neighborhood and requires a community-wide response. That is why we have partnered with the South Boston Association of Non-Profits to award the Gillette HOPE Grants to community-based drug prevention and treatment initiatives in this neighborhood, which has been our home for a century."

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Bryan Van Dorpe, president of the South Boston Association of Non-Profits and executive director of the South Boston Neighborhood House, as well as community and nonprofit association leaders, joined Ms. Chizauskas at the event in the South Boston Neighborhood House. Officials noted that the drug problem in South Boston disproportionately affects the neighborhood's young, with more than 36 percent of the heroin overdoses in South Boston among victims between the ages of 15 and 24, according to 2003 data from Boston Emergency Services.

"South Boston is a vibrant community of hard-working people who care about their children and each other. Everyone deserves a safe and strong neighborhood that is free of substance abuse," said Mayor Menino. "I want to commend Gillette and the South Boston Association of Non-Profits for their efforts to help our youth beat substance abuse and stay drug-free."

"The South Boston Association of Non-Profits is committed to increasing the vitality of our neighborhood by advocating on behalf of the people who live and work here," said Bryan Van Dorpe. "The support that Gillette, our neighborhood's largest employer, is offering to our member groups will enable them to put in place programs that will make a real difference in the lives of our children and young adults. Today highlights many years of work by community agencies and residents who have continued to fight this battle for the families of South Boston."

The $175,000 in Gillette HOPE Grants awarded today in the initial cycle of grants was the result of submissions to a request for proposals issued earlier this year seeking applications from organizations working to prevent substance abuse in South Boston.

Grants were presented today to 16 recipients:

--Artists for Humanity: Youth-run apprenticeship that enables inner-city teens to partner with professional artists and designers in creating art products.

--Condon Community Center: The Center will launch the "PET" Program of Prevention, Education and Treatment activities.

--Family Advocating Neighbors Strength: FANS will enhance its ongoing Family Nurturing Network.

--Fourth Presbyterian Church: The church will expand after-school offerings at the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development.

--Gavin Foundation Inc.: The Foundation will support group facilitators and supervision for an adolescent relapse prevention group for boys.

--Julie's Family Learning Program, Inc.: The Learning Program will increase the capacity of mothers to achieve their individual and family goals.

--Laboure Center: The Center's Youth Tutoring Youth program will increase protective factors for 3rd- through 6th-grade youths and for teens hired to work as their tutors.

--Old Colony Tenants Association: In collaboration with the Perkins Elementary School, the Association will establish an after-school program for 3rd-through 5th graders.

--South Boston Action Council: The Council will improve school performance and reduce risk-taking behavior through an after-school employment program.

--South Boston Boys and Girls Club: The Club will enhance its core programs to help boys and girls aged six to 11 to become responsible citizens and leaders.

--South Boston Collaborative Center: The Center will operate coordinated education and treatment plans for substance-abusing youth.

--South Boston Community Health Center: The Community Health Center will launch a program of substance abuse screening and intervention for adolescents.

--South Boston Family Resource Center: The Family Resource Center will support a per-diem group leader for weekly family and friend support meetings.

--South Boston Neighborhood House: Teen ARTS and Life Skills Training program will provide teens with support, encouragement and guidance.

--Walsh Community Center: The Center's "Teen Time" will integrate drug prevention activities, presentations and workshops into existing programming.

--West Broadway Task Force: Sponsor weekly meetings to learn and share information related to drug activity within the neighborhood.

Gillette will provide a total of $500,000 during the next three years to prevent substance abuse in South Boston. The remaining $325,000 in Gillette HOPE Grants will be awarded during the next two years.

About The Gillette Company

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming, a category that includes blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. In addition, the Company is the world leader in alkaline batteries, and manual and power toothbrushes.