In addition, Grassley announced that he will be working in Iowa this summer to form a first-of-its-kind statewide anti-drug coalition to help individual communities fight drug abuse by young people. "Beyond the new law, I want to help interested parties work together. My coalition project will bring together the people who are having success in their efforts to fight drug abuse and the people who want to learn more," Grassley said. The Iowa senator is organizing meetings which include members of the business community, parents, youth, clergy, social workers, educators, medical professionals, law enforcement officials, and other concerned citizens from around Iowa to share ideas and techniques on how to wage the war against drugs.
"I want to maximize the efforts of community coalitions in the war on drugs. With a common goal of preventing and treating illegal drug use, we can make a difference one child, one parent, one worker, one person at a time," Grassley said.
The Grassley bill signed by the President at a White House ceremony today will use $10 million now spent in Washington by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to create a matching grant program through which community-based coalitions could qualify for grants of up to $100,000. The program will be administered by the ONDCP.
"A recently released study by the drug czar's office shows a disturbing pattern spreading throughout the Midwest. The use of methamphetamine increased dramatically last year," Grassley said. "I want to help empower local leaders to fight this dangerous drug which threatens the safety and stability of our rural and urban communities alike. It only makes sense to re-direct money away from the big bureaucracy in Washington and toward the dedicated efforts of individuals who can address the specific problems and needs of their own communities."
To qualify for a grant, a community coalition must be able to demonstrate a long-term commitment to addressing teenage drug use by having a sustainable coalition that includes representatives from a wide variety of community activists. A community coalition making application must have been in existence for at least six months before applying for funds provided by the DFCA. A coalition is eligible to receive support only if it can match the grant dollar-for-dollar with non-federal funding.
Grassley is Chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.