Press Release

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(Washington, D.C.)—John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), today announced that the Drug-Free Communities program will be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The move follows recommendations by the Advisory Commission for Drug-Free Communities.

Given the crucial importance of the DFC program and its role in the nation's efforts to reduce drug use, ONDCP solicited proposals from multiple federal agencies to administer the Drug-Free Community program grants. ONDCP has carefully reviewed the proposals, and Director Walters has made a decision to transfer DFC grant administration from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy said, "I am confident this change will allow our anti-drug coalitions to become even more successful in preventing drug use in America. Illegal drugs rob our children of their futures and cause harm to our communities. It is essential that we continue to make progress in reducing drug use by supporting community leaders who are working hard everyday to save young people's lives."

The Drug-Free Communities program (DFC) provides grants of up to $100,000 to community coalitions that mobilize their communities to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and inhalant abuse. The grants support coalitions of youth; parents; media; law enforcement; school officials; faith-based organizations; fraternal organizations; State, local, and tribal government agencies; healthcare professionals; and other community representatives. The program enables community coalitions to strengthen their coordination and prevention efforts, encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts, and disseminate information about effective programs.