[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E110]]
                   VALLEJO FIGHTING BACK PARTNERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2002

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing Vallejo Fighting Back 
Partnership's selection as the 2001 Outstanding Coalition Award by 
CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America).
  In the late 1980s, residents of Vallejo, California, became concerned 
about the city's growing crime rate--a problem blamed mainly on the 
prevalence of drug and alcohol use in the community. In 1988, city 
officials began to examine programs and strategies that would help 
reduce drug and alcohol use, including the Robert Wood Johnson 
Foundation's plan to start more than a dozen Fighting Back Partnership 
coalitions across the nation. The coalitions, which would be 
established in mid-sized communities to reduce the demand for drugs and 
alcohol, were going to be given funding for a two-year planning period, 
followed by a $3 million grant to carry out a five-year strategic plan.
  Although more than 400 communities sent in applications to start a 
Fighting Back coalition, in 1989 Vallejo emerged as one of the original 
14 sites. One of the pivotal moments in Fighting Back's history 
occurred in the mid-1990s when the coalition--with the help of its 
partners--developed a sophisticated five-year strategic plan that 
focused on substance abuse reduction in relation to three areas: 
neighborhoods, treatment and youth. Fighting Back's primary goals in 
each area were--and still are--as follows: Revitalize neighborhoods 
that have deteriorated because of alcohol and drug-related crime and 
violence; increase the availability for treatment, especially for those 
with no money or health insurance; work with schools and organizations 
to reduce the demand and availability of tobacco, alcohol and other 
harmful substances among youth.
  To date, there are several indicators that Fighting Back has made 
significant progress in achieving its goals. In 1997, the Robert Wood 
Johnson extended the coalition's funding for another five years--an 
unprecedented move by the foundation at the time. Meanwhile, recent 
community reports and surveys show across-the-board reductions in 
neighborhood crime and drug use in Vallejo. Furthermore, the number of 
residents in certified treatment facilities has increased from 690 to 
729, according to the latest statistics available. To date, more than 
30 organizations and thousands of individuals have partnered with 
Fighting Back to develop strategies, aimed at reducing substance abuse 
in Vallejo. Generally speaking, Fighting Back serves as a neutral 
convener as opposed to a service provider--especially in the areas of 
substance abuse treatment and counseling. More than anything, Fighting 
Back exists because of its many partners. The coalition, which could be 
described as a vehicle for collaboration, is grateful for the large 
contingent of partnering agencies and individuals who help create and 
carry out strategies in the community. In fact, Fighting Back's good 
standing in the community is evident by the vast number of agencies and 
individuals who are willing to partner with the coalition on an ongoing 
basis. Fighting Back's partners include individuals and agencies in the 
field of healthcare, law enforcement, community service (churches, 
neighborhood volunteers, etc.), public education, substance abuse 
treatment, and public and private businesses.
  I know I speak for all the members when I congratulate Vallejo 
Fighting Back Partnership for its effective efforts to reduce substance 
abuse and for its selection as the 2001 Coalition of the Year by the 
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

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