Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) today provided an overview of the FY 2002 drug control budget. President Bush released the details of this overall federal 2002 budget today. Acting ONDCP Director Edward H. Jurith sated that the $19.2 billion federal drug control budget - a 6.2 percent increase from the $18.1 billion enacted in FY 2001 - "will enhance community prevention efforts, access to drug treatment, and international drug control programs. The President's budget will allow us to better protect our youth and our safety. The annual costs associated with drug abuse are estimated to exceed $100 billion and do not begin to measure the impact of lives lost, families torn apart, and opportunities wasted. President Bush's budget proposal provides critical resources for the people and programs fighting drug abuse every day." Key elements of the budget include the following:

• In total, $19.2 billion is recommended for drug-related funding to support the five goals and 31 objectives of the National Drug Control Strategy in FY 2002. This represents an increase of $1.1 billion over the FY 2001 enacted level.
• The FY 2002 recommended funding levels include $13.3 billion for supply-related programs and $5.9 billion for demand-related programs. The FY 2001 to FY 2002 increases are $955 million for supply reduction efforts and $171 million for demand reduction efforts.
• The increase in supply reduction activities is related to the way in which funding was appropriated for Plan Colombia and the Andean region by sustaining alternative economic development programs, eradication and interdiction efforts, and support for justice and government reform initiatives. The $1.3 billion appropriated for Plan Colombia in FY 2000 funds critical equipment and operations in both FY 2000 and FY 2001. Therefore, no additional funding was appropriated in FY 2001, while $730 million is provided in FY 2002 to support Plan Colombia.
• There is also an increase of $171 million for demand reduction programs. Aside from the HUD Drug Elimination Grant program, demand reduction programs exceed the FY 2001 levels by $480 million. The Administration is proposing to terminate the $309 million Drug Elimination Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The decision is based, in part, on reviews by the Inspector General that suggest the program is an ineffective means of delivering services to public housing residents. However, the Public Housing Operating Fund, which is not currently scored as a drug program, authorizes expenditures for drug enforcement-related activities. The President's FY 2002 Budget includes an enhancement for this account, in order to offset partially the reduction to the Drug Elimination Grant program. ONDCP will work with HUD during 2001 to determine how much of the funding for this program supports the National Drug Control Strategy.

The proposed budget would provide additional resources for treatment programs and reduce the gap between those individuals who need treatment and those who receive it. A requested increase of $111 million for drug treatment systems under the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice will expand access to proven treatment programs, including those administered by community-based and faith-based providers, while holding program participants strictly accountable for their progress.

More information may be found at: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov