A White House official visited Roanoke on Thursday to observe how local groups are working to cut down on youth alcohol and drug abuse.

Two Roanoke organizations are among 800 groups nationwide and 22 in Virginia to receive a matching grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington. The Roanoke County Prevention Council last year received its second five-year $625,000 grant. The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, which serves Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt County and Craig County, is in the fourth year of its $500,000 grant.

Jack Claypoole, the administrator of the Drug Free Communities program for the White House, said he wanted to learn preventive strategies that can be applied elsewhere.

"Our job is to provide the support necessary for kids and community leaders," he said. "The best way to learn about how the community is making a difference is to come meet the community leaders and talk to them."

The grant goes to help Roanoke County police with sobriety checks during prom season and other times, said Nancy Hans, coordinator of the Roanoke County Prevention Council. It also helps the group collect data for its Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.

The groups work to get churches, schools and others involved in curbing underage drinking and drug use.

"Youth substance abuse is not just a school problem," Hans said. "This is a community issue."

Several grant recipients will gather at the Hotel Roanoke today for a conference.