[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8674-S8677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 2941. A bill to authorize grants for the establishment of quasi-
judicial

[[Page S8675]]

campus drug courts at colleges and universities modeled after State 
drug courts programs; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I introduce the ``Campus Classmate 
Offenders in Rehabilitation and Treatment Act.''
  The Campus Classmate Offenders in Rehabilitation and Treatment Act, 
which can also be referred to as the ``Campus CORT Act,'' directs the 
Department of Justice to establish a demonstration program to provide 
grants and training to help our Nation's universities and colleges 
establish new quasi-judicial systems. These systems aim at countering 
the serious drug and substance abuse related problems that are taking 
such a heavy toll on our institutions of higher learning and the 
students who attend them. The demonstration program, which would be 
administered by the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, 
would be based on the valuable lessons and successes we have garnered 
from our Nation's innovative and expanding drug court system.
  Specifically, this demonstration program legislation would authorize 
the establishment of up to five Campus CORTs each year for Fiscal Years 
2003 through 2006. The bill authorizes the Office of Justice Programs 
to provide $2,000,000 in Federal funding during each of those years to 
help get five Campus CORTs well trained, soundly established and up and 
running. This new program's approach should be similar to how the 
Office of Justice Programs currently runs the ongoing drug court grant-
making program, including providing an Internet-based application 
process.
  There are plenty of good reasons to take the next step and establish 
a Campus CORTs program based on the drug court model. Since they first 
appeared in 1989, drug courts have rapidly spread all across the 
Nation. Rather than simply locking-up nonviolent drug offenders in 
prison along side violent criminals, drug courts provide the 
alternative of court-supervised treatment. Instead of simply punishing, 
drug courts help get people clean.
  Drug courts' many successes are underscored both by the bipartisan 
support they have received in Congress and by the Bush Administration. 
For example, during a national conference hosted this last April by the 
National Association of Drug Court Professionals, both Office of 
National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters, our Nation's ``Drug 
Czar,'' and Drug Enforcement Agency Director Asa Hutchinson gave 
speeches in support of drug courts.
  According to the latest statistics as reported by the Department of 
Justice's Office of Justice Programs, there are nearly 700 Drug Courts 
in operation all across the United States. This includes 483 Adult Drug 
Courts, 167 Juvenile Drug Courts, and 37 Family Drug Courts. An 
additional 400-plus new Drug Courts are in the planning process. The 
report goes on to state that approximately 220,000 adults and 9,000 
juveniles have been enrolled in the drug court system and of those, 
73,000 adults and 1,500 juveniles have graduated.
  The merits of the drug court system are well documented. Nationwide, 
the drug courts have helped more than 1,000 to be born drug free, more 
than 3,500 parents to regain custody of their children, and 4,500 
parents to resume making their child-support payments. The retention 
rate is over 70 percent, with 73 percent of the participants managing 
to keep their jobs or successfully find new work. These are encouraging 
successes, and not just for the individuals involved, but for society 
as a whole.
  These are the kind of successes we should be able to see once the 
drug court model is customized and applied through Campus CORTs as we 
work together to respond to the alcohol, drug and other substance abuse 
challenges facing our Nation's colleges and universities.
  Our Nation's drug courts use a carrot and stick approach where 
offenders can either live at home and remain free to work under court 
supervised treatment or face the very real threat of hard jail time. 
Similarly, Campus CORTs will give troubled students the chance to get 
supervised treatment and stay clean or get kicked out of school and 
watch their futures get squandered away.
  Instead of simply booting students with substance abuse problems 
directly out of school, as is currently happening at many universities 
and colleges all across the country, I believe we should instead help 
provide institutions of higher learning with new tools they can use to 
help students get and stay clean. Of course, just like it is with the 
existing drug courts, there will be some students who simply do not 
respond to Campus CORTs. While those students will have to face the 
fact that they may well be expelled from school, at least we will have 
been able to give them the opportunity to clean-up their act.

  Since the new Campus CORTs would be established at colleges and 
universities, the legislation calls on the Office of Justice Programs, 
or OJP, to establish new ``quasi-judicial standards and procedures for 
disciplinary cases'' for institutions of higher learning that wish to 
participate in the new Federal program.
  Today, I am pleased to highlight that one of the leading institutions 
of higher learning in my home State, Colorado State University, CSU, 
has already broken new ground as the Nation's first university to apply 
the drug court concept in a campus setting. The ``Day IV'' program, as 
it is known at CSU, has racked-up a successful record in helping keep 
students clean and in school.
  Under the pioneering leadership of Cheryl Asmus, the drug court 
inspired program helped 26 out of 30 students who would have otherwise 
been kicked out of school stay there during the last spring semester 
alone. As I understand it, two of the four were dismissed from school 
for not meeting the Day IV program's treatment requirements and the 
other two left school for other reasons.
  In any case, a success rate approaching 90 percent is a wonderful 
accomplishment, both for the university and especially for the 26 
students who have managed to pull themselves back from potential 
disaster.
  Our drug court system is making a difference all across our Nation. 
In fact, a 2002 report issued by Columbia University's prestigious 
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse states that ``drug 
courts provide closer, more comprehensive supervision and much more 
frequent drug testing and monitoring during the program, than other 
forms of community supervision.'' The report underscores that ``drug 
use and criminal behavior are substantially reduced while offenders are 
participating in drug court'' and that ``criminal behavior is lower 
after participation, especially for graduates.''
  Far too many of our Nation's college students are falling by the 
wayside as they get sidetracked by crippling drug and alcohol abuse 
problems. Not only are academic careers being impacted and ended, 
entire lives are being thrown into limbo.
  Our Nation's drug court system is a good example of a viable and 
productive partnership between the Federal Government, our State 
governments and local jurisdictions. Their collaboration is making a 
positive impact all across our country. I want to take this moment to 
thank the people of the OJP, the experts at the National Association of 
Drug Court Professionals and the State and local judges, prosecutors, 
law enforcement officers and other officials who have done so much to 
establish, build upon and continually improve our Nation's drug court 
system.
  I also want to take a moment to thank Judge Karen Freeman Wilson, 
Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Drug Court 
Professionals, Stuart VanMeveren, District Attorney for Colorado's 
Eighth Judicial District, and Colorado State University President 
Albert Yates for their letters of support for the Campus CORT 
legislation I am introducing today. Their support for this bill is 
appreciated.
  I ask unanimous consent that the three letters of support and the 
text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the additional material was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2941

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Campus Classmate Offenders 
     in Rehabilitation and Treatment Act'' or the ``Campus CORT 
     Act''.

[[Page S8676]]

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMPUS DRUG COURTS.

       (a) In General.--The Attorney General, acting through the 
     Office of Justice Programs, is authorized to make 
     demonstration grants to accredited universities and colleges 
     to establish not to exceed 5 campus classmate offenders in 
     rehabilitation and treatment programs (referred to as 
     ``Campus CORTS'') each fiscal year modeled after the 
     statewide local drug court programs throughout the United 
     States.
       (b) Campus CORTS.--Campus CORTS shall--
       (1) be established at accredited colleges or universities;
       (2) have jurisdiction over substance abuse related 
     disciplinary cases involving students that may or may not be 
     criminal in nature, including illegal drug use, abuse of 
     prescription drugs, alcohol abuse, and other issues, but no 
     student who is deemed to be a danger to the community may be 
     involved;
       (3) pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Attorney 
     General, establish appropriate quasi-judicial standards and 
     procedures for disciplinary cases; and
       (4) impose as the ultimate sanction expulsion from school.
       (c) Consultation.--The Attorney General shall consult with 
     the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, d.b.a., 
     the National Drug Court Institute, universities and colleges, 
     including the Campus Drug Court program at Colorado State 
     University, and other experts in establishing quasi-judicial 
     standards required by this Act.
       (d) Assistance.--The Attorney General shall make grants to 
     qualified universities and colleges, the National Association 
     of Drug Court Professionals, d.b.a., the National Drug Court 
     Institute, and other associations and experts to assist in 
     establishing campus drug courts and provide training and 
     technical assistance in support of the program.
       (e) Grant Making Considerations.--In awarding grants to 
     qualified colleges or universities, the Office of Justice 
     Programs should--
       (1) endeavor to include colleges and universities of 
     different sizes across the United States; and
       (2) enable colleges and universities to apply for grants 
     through the Internet site of the Office of Justice Programs.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each 
     of the fiscal years 2003 through 2006 to carry out this Act.
                                  ____

                                                  August 23, 2002.
     Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     Russell Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: As the representative of the 
     National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and 
     of the drug court professionals throughout the country I am 
     writing this letter of support for your bill for the ``Campus 
     Classmate Offenders in Rehabilitation and Treatment Act'' or 
     the `'Campus CORT Act.'' Modeled after the ``campus drug 
     court'' at Colorado State University, campus drug courts 
     nationwide are the exciting next step in the drug court 
     arena. I truly appreciate your commitment to making them a 
     reality.
       All of the drug court professionals across America laud the 
     depth of your knowledge about substance abuse and its 
     concomitant crime and appreciate your steadfast support of 
     stopping the revolving door of drug addiction and crime in 
     our criminal justice system. With the alarming news about 
     drug use and binge drinking on college campuses, the Campus 
     CORT Act will face the campus drug and alcohol use and abuse 
     problem head on, preventing accidents and crimes at colleges 
     and universities throughout the nation.
       Taking the drug court concept to this next level, to 
     college campuses, is the logical way to further the fight 
     against substance abuse and criminal behavior. As you know, 
     Columbia University's prestigious National Center on 
     Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) report from 2001 states 
     that drug courts provide closer, more comprehensive 
     supervision and much more frequent drug testing and 
     monitoring during the program, than other forms of community 
     supervision. In addition, it found that drug use and criminal 
     behavior are substantially reduced while offenders are 
     participating in drug court.
       Again, thank you for introducing the `'Campus CORT Act'' 
     and for your continuing support of drug courts. I look 
     forward to continuing to work with you and your staff in the 
     future.
           Very truly yours,
                                Judge Karen Freeman Wilson (ret.),
     Chief Executive Officer.
                                  ____

         Office of the District Attorney, Eighth Judicial 
           District, State of Colorado,
                                Fort Collins, CO, August 28, 2002.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Fort Collins, CO.
       Dear Senator Campbell: I wholeheartedly support your 
     proposed ``Campus CORT Act.''.
       As you know, Colorado State University, through the work of 
     Dr. Cheryl Asmus and others, has developed a Campus Drug 
     Court that is now in full operation. Prior to the 
     implementation of the CSU Campus Drug Court, many bright, 
     promising college students lost their opportunity to obtain 
     their college degree because of being dismissed from school 
     as a result of a drug or alcohol addiction. This new pilot 
     program provides students who have drug or alcohol problems a 
     process in which they can address their usage problem while 
     staying in school. Colorado State University's project has 
     proven very successful. Very few students in the program have 
     failed to abide by the program requirements. Most 
     participants have been able to abstain from usage. This 
     success is due to the very strong impetus for students to 
     ``stay clean'' by allowing them to continue to have access to 
     grants and loans, as well as remain at the university so long 
     as they abide by drug court requirements.
       Federal legislation that creates funding to expand the 
     campus drug court program is an excellent proposal. This 
     program helps promising young people, who have chosen to 
     improve their lives through a college education, succeed when 
     alcohol and drugs may be the one obstacle that stands in 
     their way. They are given the opportunity to stay in school, 
     graduate, and become contributing members of society. That 
     success is insured by addressing a drug or alcohol addiction 
     problem that very well would have a negative affect on their 
     families and their ability to succeed professionally.
       The availability of federal funds to assist in starting 
     these programs across the country has the promise of spawning 
     very successful drug and alcohol programs nationwide. The 
     traditional Drug Court concept has been very successful. The 
     Campus CORT Act can provide the resources that will result in 
     the same success opportunity for students at our colleges and 
     universities.
       We wish you every success in your efforts to pass this 
     legislation. If there is anything I can do to assist, please 
     do not hesitate to contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                             Stuart A. Vanmeveren,
     District Attorney.
                                  ____



                                    Colorado State University,

                              Fort Collins, CO, September 4, 2002.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     Russell Senate Office Building,
     Washington DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: This letter serves as strong support 
     for the bill you are proposing to introduce to the United 
     States Senate that will authorize the appropriation of funds 
     to establish ``drug courts'' at other colleges and 
     universities. These drug courts will be modeled after the 
     Drug Courts Program, and the Colorado State University (CSU) 
     campus drug court. I understand that CSU will play a critical 
     role as consultant to the Attorney General of the United 
     States in this effort, and we are committed to working in any 
     capacity in this effort. As the first, and only university 
     with a campus drug court to date, we are in a unique position 
     to provide first-hand experience and advice.
       In late 1999, the Family and Youth Institute at Colorado 
     State University set up several meetings with the CSU Office 
     of Judicial Affairs and Colorado's Eighth Judicial District 
     Drug Court. The result of these meetings spawned an effort to 
     apply for support to establish a ``campus drug court.'' In 
     mid-2001, the Family and Youth Institute was awarded two 
     years of support for the drug court from the U.S. Department 
     of Education. Currently, a cross-disciplinary team meets 
     weekly to staff the drug court students. After one semester 
     in operation, all but four (one school dropout, two expelled 
     from program, one positive breathalyzer) of approximately 20 
     students remain trouble and AOD free. So far, we have three 
     drug court graduates and recorded improvements in the other 
     participants in terms of grades, employment, family 
     situations, attitudes, and behaviors.
       As a Carnegie Class I research institution, CSU is poised 
     to lead the field in determining what factors of a drug court 
     influence their success. I am aware of the current debates 
     across the nation of the true impacts of the 1000 plus drug 
     courts. I am confident that by introducing the model into the 
     world of academia, inevitably it will inevitably spur 
     research that will result in research-based evidence to 
     concretely address these debates and concerns.
       We have found the model to be easily adaptable to our 
     campus setting and have listed as one of our four goals to 
     assist other campuses in developing their own campus drug 
     courts. We are extremely grateful and appreciative you have 
     decided to assist us in this goal. It is not an accident that 
     Colorado State University, and Colorado, will lead in this 
     effort. You have long championed drug courts and, in 
     particular, the Eighth Judicial District's Juvenile Drug 
     Court, our mentor.
       A key strategy of Colorado State University is civic 
     education renewal. A part of this strategy is to focus on 
     initiatives and programs that assist students in developing 
     into people of integrity and strong values. We are also 
     dedicated to the ability to graduate students in four years 
     who are prepared to enter the world as contributing citizens. 
     Using dismissal or expulsion as a consequence for someone 
     with a substance abuse problem is a quick fix for our campus, 
     but not for the individual or the community at large. As a 
     land-grand institution, valuing service to our society, we 
     believe the integration of drug court's goal of using 
     treatment with strong interventions into the disciplinary 
     system, as an alternative to dismissal or expulsion directly 
     supports the mission of Colorado State University.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Albert C. Yates,
                                                        President.

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