WASHINGTON (Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010) – Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Wednesday introduced legislation to authorize a program to help communities address major local drug crises and emerging drug issues. The Drug Free Communities Enhancement Act will authorize additional Drug Free Communities (DFC) grants to assist community coalitions that help to lower substance abuse rates in communities across the country.
The Drug Free Communities Enhancement Act will allow current and former DFCs to apply for grants of up to $75,000 per year to implement comprehensive, community-wide strategies to address emerging drug trends or local drug crises. The funds may also be used for DFC grantees to obtain specialized training and technical assistance to improve the operation of their coalitions. The program is a matching grant program, and DFC grantees are eligible to receive federal funds up to the amount of funds raised by the organization.
“In Vermont, we have felt the presence of drug abuse and drug-related crime in our communities,” said Leahy. “The community coalition model has proven extremely effective, and has achieved impressive outcomes. We see significant results when we have people working together at the local, state, and federal levels, and in the law enforcement, prevention, and treatment fields. Communities nationwide who are facing serious drug issues will benefit from these enhancement grants.”
“Community coalitions are on the frontlines fighting drug abuse every day. These grassroots organizations know how to best meet the challenges faced by a particular community. The enhancement grants will help these groups identify new and emerging drug abuse and work to defeat the threat to their kids and families,” Grassley said.
Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Grassley is a senior member of the panel. The Judiciary Committee has oversight of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; the DFC federal grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Community coalitions qualify for supplemental Drug Free Community grants if local data shows evidence of drug use and abuse rates above the national average, or if rates of use and abuse for a specific drug continue over a sustained period of time. Grant applicants must submit a detailed, comprehensive, multi-sector plan for addressing the emerging local drug issue or crisis within the area served by the applicant. Applicants are eligible for grants up to $75,000 per year for up to four years. The Drug Free Communities Enhancement Act authorizes funding from 2011 through 2015.
Leahy and Grassley have partnered on several legislative and oversight efforts over the years. Last year they teamed to author the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, which was signed into law in May.