Press Release

(Washington D.C.)—Dr. Donald R. Vereen, Jr., Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), will testify at a hearing before the House Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources Thursday, June 28 at 10 a.m in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building on the importance of the Drug-Free Communities Program.

"No matter what else we do at the state, federal or international levels, if we don't support the grassroots efforts of individuals throughout America working to prevent drug use in our communities, we cannot truly empower young people to reject the destructive lifestyle of substance abuse. The 307 local anti-drug coalitions participating in the Drug-Free Communities Program are helping prevent drug use among our nation's youth," stated Deputy Director Vereen.

Created under the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, Representatives Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sander Levin (D-MI) have introduced legislation to reauthorize the program. This act will also authorize funding for the National Anti-Drug Coalition Institute, which will provide education, training, and technical assistance to leaders of community coalitions. For fiscal year 2002, President Bush requested an $11 million increase in funding for the Drug-Free Communities program, which assists community anti-drug efforts and provides grants of up to $100,000 to local organizations that work to prevent illicit drug use by youth. The President's budget proposal would double the number of community anti-drug coalitions funded under the program by 2002.

"We are pleased that Rep. Portman and Rep. Levin have introduced this reauthorization legislation. The continuing support of Congress is critical to ensuring the Drug-Free Communities Program remains a powerful weapon in curbing drug use, especially among America's youth," stated Dr. Vereen.

Drug-Free Community coalitions represent a diverse cross-section of their communities and include parents, youth, health care professionals, faith-based organizations, educators, and representatives of state, local or tribunal government agencies. The coalitions help disseminate information about effective prevention programs and encourage private citizens to get involved in fighting drugs. ONDCP administers the Drug-Free Communities Program in conjunction with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention provides technical assistance and resources, helps new grantees implement effective community prevention programs, and facilitates information sharing among the grantees.

For more information about the Drug-Free Communities program visit www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov