[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES ACT OF 1997

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate yesterday 
passed H.R. 956, the Drug Free Communities Act of 1997. I have long 
been a supporter of substance abuse prevention programs, particularly 
for our youth, and was a cosponsor of the Senate's companion bill, S. 
536.
  I am glad to see that my Republican colleagues have taken a second 
look at these types of prevention programs since the debate over the 
1994 crime law. It clearly was time to stop debating the usefulness of 
prevention programs and instead make sure we authorized and funded such 
programs as the Drug Free Communities Act.
  Community-based prevention programs have proven to be an effective 
way to combat the problem of youth drug abuse. Throughout the country 
there are groups, large and small, public and private, whose mission is 
to reduce drug use among our young people. Many of these groups form 
coalitions, pool their resources, and work together to reach that goal. 
Groups such as D.A.R.E., MADD, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 
and Vermont's unique Kids N' Kops Program, serve communities every day 
with programs that involve entire communities and educate our youth in 
innovative ways so that they are secure in their decision not to use 
drugs. Those groups need to be supported and that is the purpose of 
H.R. 956.
  Many Americans are concerned about the problem of juvenile crime and 
delinquency, and drug abuse is a contributing factor. According to a 
recent report from the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice 
and Delinquency Prevention, the number of juvenile delinquency cases 
for drug offenses has increased significantly. In 1994, 61 percent of 
all delinquency cases were for drug offenses compared to 43 percent in 
1985. Unfortunately, the proportion of drug offenses is higher in 
Vermont than the national average. Similarly disturbing are trends in 
the overall juvenile crime rate. While the juvenile violent crime rate 
dipped nationally in 1995, it rose in Vermont that same year. In 
addition, the number of juvenile violent crime arrests is 67 percent 
higher than in 1986.
  That is why at the beginning of this year, I along with a number of 
my Democratic colleagues, introduced S. 15, the Youth Violence, Crime 
and Drug Abuse Control Act of 1997. This bill includes a number of 
initiatives to prevent juvenile crime and drug abuse, including 
providing funding for comprehensive drug education and prevention for 
all elementary and high school students, creating safe havens where 
children are protected from drugs, gangs, and crime. We must ensure 
that prevention programs and funding are included in S. 10, the 
Republican juvenile crime bill currently being considered in the Senate 
Committee on the Judiciary.

  The Drug Free Communities Act of 1997 creates a 5-year, $143.5 
million grant program to be run by Gen. Barry McCaffrey and the Office 
of National Drug Control Policy [ONCDP]. The purpose of the grant 
program is simple: to provide matching grants to community coalitions, 
particularly those dedicated to reducing drug abuse by young people. 
Established partnerships in local communities with positive track 
records can apply for grants of up to $100,000 per community. No new 
funding is required; it will come from redirecting money already in the 
$16 billion Federal antidrug budget.
  In Vermont, these resources will be put to good use. With the 
movement of gangs into Vermont and the rise in youth drug use, more 
resources are needed to serve our children. I am proud of the work that 
many of community groups are doing in Vermont. The Orleans County 
Prevention Partnership [OCCP] in Newport, VT, has spent the last 6 
years fighting youth crime and drug use. OCCP was formed based on the 
premise that communities already possess a wealth of knowledge and 
talent to deal with these problems, but need resources to coordinate 
and harness community talents to the fullest. Over the years, this 
partnership has grown from the original 17 members to the current 117 
members, including all segments of Orleans County from church groups to 
law enforcement to schools. This commitment has led to great results: 
The OCCP reports that, in Orleans County, liquor consumption among 
middle schoolers is down 15 percent, as are DWI arrests of teens and 
arrests for drug crimes in all age groups. The Prevention Coalition 
based in Brattleboro is also doing terrific work in drug prevention 
efforts in the southern part of the State. These coalitions know as 
well as anyone about the benefits of targeted prevention programs and 
that community partnerships are an effective way to approach this 
problem. The passage of H.R. 956 will provide them another tool in this 
battle.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who seeks recognition?
  Mr. KENNEDY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts is recognized.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I would like to be able to proceed for 
the time that was allotted to me, 15 minutes.
  Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that morning business be extended 
for that period of time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Chair 
observes that morning business was to end at 1 o'clock. The Senator 
from Massachusetts has asked unanimous consent to extend that time.
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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