Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 105-20.
Official Summary
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to direct Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth (referred hereafter as the Program). Requires that the Program shall include grant making and tracking, technical assistance and training, data collection and dissemination on state-of-the-art practices which have proven effective in reducing substance abuse, and general administration. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth specified criteria a coalition shall meet to be eligible to receive a grant. Prescribes limitations concerning: (1) grant amounts; (2) coalition awards; and (3) rural coalition grants. Requires the Administrator of the Program to: (1) have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant renewal request and may periodically request information from a grantee to ensure that the criteria set forth are being met; (2) issue rules and regulations regarding the application process, grant renewal, and suspension or withholding of any renewal grant awards; and (3) make every effort, consistent with existing law, to minimize reporting requirements by a grantee and to expedite any grant renewal requests. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) collect data from national substance abuse organizations working with coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions, departments or agencies of Federal, State and local or tribal governments and any other entity or organization whose activities relate to the purposes of the Program, and evaluate the utility of specific initiatives, engage in research and development activities related to the Program, and disseminate such information to eligible coalitions, any other substance abuse organization, or the public; and (2) offer technical assistance and training, enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, coordinate programs with any grantee or other organization, and train any representatives designated by a grantee in coalition building, task force development, mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment and evaluation or any other activity related to the purposes of the Program. Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities (Advisory Commission) to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Administrator concerning matters related to the activities carried out under the Program. Sets forth the duties of the Advisory Commission. Requires that if the Administrator rejects recommendations of the Advisory Commission, the Administrator shall notify the Advisory Commission and the Director in writing of the reasons for so doing not later than 15 days after receiving such recommendations. Terminates the Advisory Commission five years after enactment of this Act.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to establish a federal program led by the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. This program supports community coalitions in creating and implementing long-term plans to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth. It includes grant-making, technical assistance, training, data collection, and dissemination of effective practices. The Act sets eligibility criteria for coalitions to receive grants, limits on grant amounts, and special provisions for rural coalitions. It also establishes an Advisory Commission to provide recommendations to the program administrator, with a requirement for written explanations if recommendations are rejected. The Advisory Commission is set to terminate five years after enactment. The Act authorizes appropriations to fund these activities and includes oversight provisions such as audit access and reporting requirements.
This law creates a federally supported program to help communities prevent youth substance abuse through grants, training, and data sharing, with oversight mechanisms and an advisory commission.
- Establishes a program under the Office of National Drug Control Policy to support community coalitions in substance abuse prevention and treatment for youth.
- Provides grants with specified eligibility criteria, limits on amounts, and special provisions for rural coalitions.
- Creates an Advisory Commission to advise the program administrator, with a sunset provision five years after enactment.
- Requires program administrators to have audit access to grantee records and to issue rules on grant application, renewal, and suspension.
- Authorizes data collection, research, technical assistance, training, and coordination with various organizations involved in substance abuse prevention.
['Community coalitions focused on substance abuse prevention and treatment', 'Youth populations at risk of substance abuse', 'Office of National Drug Control Policy', 'Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies involved in substance abuse prevention', 'Substance abuse organizations and researchers']
['Implementation complexity due to grant management, auditing, and reporting requirements', 'Potential administrative burden on coalitions to meet eligibility and reporting criteria', 'Funding limitations and allocation caps may affect coalition capacity, especially in rural areas', 'Oversight responsibilities placed on the program administrator and Advisory Commission may require sustained resources', 'Sunset of the Advisory Commission after five years could impact long-term advisory continuity']
The bill was enacted during the 105th Congress and signed into law on June 27, 1997, reflecting a legislative focus on addressing youth substance abuse through community-based prevention efforts. It amends existing narcotics control legislation to formalize federal support for local coalitions and establishes oversight structures to guide program implementation.
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['Improved data collection and dissemination may enhance evidence-based practices in substance abuse prevention beyond funded coalitions.', 'Technical assistance and training could build local capacity for coalition building and program evaluation.', 'Coordination with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies may strengthen intergovernmental collaboration on substance abuse issues.', 'Sunset of the Advisory Commission may lead to shifts in advisory structures or reliance on other entities for program guidance.']
The Act includes oversight provisions such as audit access to grantee records and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with grant criteria. The establishment of an Advisory Commission with a sunset clause introduces a time-limited advisory mechanism, requiring attention to continuity of oversight beyond five years. Funding caps and rural coalition provisions should be monitored to assess equitable resource distribution. Transparency in grant administration and data dissemination is emphasized, supporting accountability in program implementation.
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