H. R. 956
One Hundred Fifth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven
An Act
To amend the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to establish a program
to support and encourage local communities that first demonstrate a comprehen-
sive, long-term commitment to reduce substance abuse among youth, and for
other purposes.
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 ‘‘Drug-Free Communities Act
of 1997’’.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Narcotics Leadership Act of
1988 (21 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by inserting between sections 1001 and 1002 the
following:
‘‘CHAPTER 1—OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL
POLICY ’’;
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘CHAPTER 2—DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES
‘‘SEC. 1021. FINDINGS.
‘‘Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) Substance abuse among youth has more than doubled
in the 5-year period preceding 1996, with substantial increases
in the use of marijuana, inhalants, cocaine, methamphetamine,
LSD, and heroin.
‘‘(2) The most dramatic increases in substance abuse has
occurred among 13- and 14-year-olds.
‘‘(3) Casual or periodic substance abuse by youth today
will contribute to hard core or chronic substance abuse by
the next generation of adults.
‘‘(4) Substance abuse is at the core of other problems,
such as rising violent teenage and violent gang crime, increas-
ing health care costs, HIV infections, teenage pregnancy, high
school dropouts, and lower economic productivity.
‘‘(5) Increases in substance abuse among youth are due
in large part to an erosion of understanding by youth of the
high risks associated with substance abuse, and to the softening
of peer norms against use.
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‘‘(6)(A) Substance abuse is a preventable behavior and a
treatable disease; and
‘‘(B)(i) during the 13-year period beginning with 1979,
monthly use of illegal drugs among youth 12 to 17 years of
age declined by over 70 percent; and
‘‘(ii) data suggests that if parents would simply talk to
their children regularly about the dangers of substance abuse,
use among youth could be expected to decline by as much
as 30 percent.
‘‘(7) Community anti-drug coalitions throughout the United
States are successfully developing and implementing com-
prehensive, long-term strategies to reduce substance abuse
among youth on a sustained basis.
‘‘(8) 
Intergovernmental 
cooperation 
and 
coordination
through national, State, and local or tribal leadership and
partnerships are critical to facilitate the reduction of substance
abuse among youth in communities throughout the United
States.
‘‘SEC. 1022. PURPOSES.
‘‘The purposes of this chapter are—
‘‘(1) to reduce substance abuse among youth in communities
throughout the United States, and over time, to reduce sub-
stance abuse among adults;
‘‘(2) to strengthen collaboration among communities, the
Federal Government, and State, local, and tribal governments;
‘‘(3) 
to 
enhance 
intergovernmental 
cooperation 
and
coordination on the issue of substance abuse among youth;
‘‘(4) to serve as a catalyst for increased citizen participation
and greater collaboration among all sectors and organizations
of a community that first demonstrates a long-term commit-
ment to reducing substance abuse among youth;
‘‘(5) to rechannel resources from the fiscal year 1998
Federal drug control budget to provide technical assistance,
guidance, and financial support to communities that dem-
onstrate a long-term commitment in reducing substance abuse
among youth;
‘‘(6) to disseminate to communities timely information
regarding the state-of-the-art practices and initiatives that have
proven to be effective in reducing substance abuse among youth;
‘‘(7) to enhance, not supplant, local community initiatives
for reducing substance abuse among youth; and
‘‘(8) to encourage the creation of and support for community
anti-drug coalitions throughout the United States.
‘‘SEC. 1023. DEFINITIONS.
‘‘In this chapter:
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the
Administrator appointed by the Director under section 1031(c).
‘‘(2) ADVISORY COMMISSION.—The term ‘Advisory Commis-
sion’ means the Advisory Commission established under section
1041.
‘‘(3) COMMUNITY.—The term ‘community’ shall have the
meaning provided that term by the Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Advisory Commission.
‘‘(4) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means the Director
of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
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‘‘(5) ELIGIBLE
COALITION.—The term ‘eligible coalition’
means a coalition that meets the applicable criteria under
section 1032(a).
‘‘(6) GRANT RECIPIENT.—The term ‘grant recipient’ means
the recipient of a grant award under section 1032.
‘‘(7) 
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term 
‘nonprofit
organization’ means an organization described under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt
from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
‘‘(8) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the program
established under section 1031(a).
‘‘(9) SUBSTANCE
ABUSE.—The term ‘substance abuse’
means—
‘‘(A) the illegal use or abuse of drugs, including sub-
stances listed in schedules I through V of section 112
of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812);
‘‘(B) the abuse of inhalants; or
‘‘(C) the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other related product
as such use is prohibited by State or local law.
‘‘(10) YOUTH.—The term ‘youth’ shall have the meaning
provided that term by the Administrator, in consultation with
the Advisory Commission.
‘‘SEC. 1024. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Office of National Drug Control Policy to carry out this
chapter—
‘‘(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
‘‘(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(4) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
‘‘(5) $43,500,000 for fiscal year 2002.
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than the following
percentages of the amounts authorized under subsection (a) may
be used to pay administrative costs:
‘‘(1) 10 percent for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘(2) 6 percent for fiscal year 1999.
‘‘(3) 4 percent for fiscal year 2000.
‘‘(4) 3 percent for fiscal year 2001.
‘‘(5) 3 percent for fiscal year 2002.
‘‘Subchapter I—Drug-Free Communities Support Program
‘‘SEC. 1031. ESTABLISHMENT OF DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT
PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall 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.
‘‘(b) PROGRAM.—In carrying out the Program, the Director
shall—
‘‘(1) make and track grants to grant recipients;
‘‘(2) provide for technical assistance and training, data
collection, and dissemination of information on state-of-the-
art practices that the Director determines to be effective in
reducing substance abuse; and
H. R. 956—4
‘‘(3) provide for the general administration of the Program.
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Not later than 30 days after receiving
recommendations from the Advisory Commission under section
1042(a)(1), the Director shall appoint an Administrator to carry
out the Program.
‘‘(d) CONTRACTING.—The Director may employ any necessary
staff and may enter into contracts or agreements with national
drug control agencies, including interagency agreements to delegate
authority for the execution of grants and for such other activities
necessary to carry out this chapter.
‘‘SEC. 1032. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.
‘‘(a) GRANT ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive an initial
grant or a renewal grant under this subchapter, a coalition shall
meet each of the following criteria:
‘‘(1) APPLICATION.—The coalition shall submit an applica-
tion to the Administrator in accordance with section 1033(a)(2).
‘‘(2) MAJOR SECTOR INVOLVEMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The coalition shall consist of 1 or
more representatives of each of the following categories:
‘‘(i) Youth.
‘‘(ii) Parents.
‘‘(iii) Businesses.
‘‘(iv) The media.
‘‘(v) Schools.
‘‘(vi) Organizations serving youth.
‘‘(vii) Law enforcement.
‘‘(viii) Religious or fraternal organizations.
‘‘(ix) Civic and volunteer groups.
‘‘(x) Health care professionals.
‘‘(xi) State, local, or tribal governmental agencies
with expertise in the field of substance abuse (includ-
ing, if applicable, the State authority with primary
authority for substance abuse).
‘‘(xii) Other organizations involved in reducing
substance abuse.
‘‘(B) ELECTED
OFFICIALS.—If feasible, in addition to
representatives from the categories listed in subparagraph
(A), the coalition shall have an elected official (or a rep-
resentative of an elected official) from—
‘‘(i) the Federal Government; and
‘‘(ii) the government of the appropriate State and
political subdivision thereof or the governing body or
an Indian tribe (as that term is defined in section
4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C.
450b(e))).
‘‘(C) REPRESENTATION.—An individual who is a member
of the coalition may serve on the coalition as a representa-
tive of not more than 1 category listed under subparagraph
(A).
‘‘(3) COMMITMENT.—The coalition shall demonstrate, to the
satisfaction of the Administrator—
‘‘(A) that the representatives of the coalition have
worked together on substance abuse reduction initiatives,
which, at a minimum, includes initiatives that target drugs
referenced in section 1023(9)(A), for a period of not less
H. R. 956—5
than 6 months, acting through entities such as task forces,
subcommittees, or community boards; and
‘‘(B) substantial participation from volunteer leaders
in the community involved (especially in cooperation with
individuals involved with youth such as parents, teachers,
coaches, youth workers, and members of the clergy).
‘‘(4) MISSION AND STRATEGIES.—The coalition shall, with
respect to the community involved—
‘‘(A) have as its principal mission the reduction of
substance abuse, which, at a minimum, includes the use
and abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in
a comprehensive and long-term manner, with a primary
focus on youth in the community;
‘‘(B) describe and document the nature and extent of
the substance abuse problem, which, at a minimum,
includes the use and abuse of drugs referenced in section
1023(9)(A), in the community;
‘‘(C)(i) provide a description of substance abuse preven-
tion and treatment programs and activities, which, at a
minimum, includes programs and activities relating to the
use and abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A),
in existence at the time of the grant application; and
‘‘(ii) identify substance abuse programs and service
gaps, which, at a minimum, includes programs and gaps
relating to the use and abuse of drugs referenced in section
1023(9)(A), in the community;
‘‘(D) develop a strategic plan to reduce substance abuse
among youth, which, at a minimum, includes the use and
abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in a com-
prehensive and long-term fashion; and
‘‘(E) work to develop a consensus regarding the prior-
ities of the community to combat substance abuse among
youth, which, at a minimum, includes the use and abuse
of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A).
‘‘(5) SUSTAINABILITY.—The coalition shall demonstrate that
the coalition is an ongoing concern by demonstrating that the
coalition—
‘‘(A) is—
‘‘(i)(I) a nonprofit organization; or
‘‘(II) an entity that the Administrator determines
to be appropriate; or
‘‘(ii) part of, or is associated with, an established
legal entity;
‘‘(B) receives financial support (including, in the
discretion of the Administrator, in-kind contributions) from
non-Federal sources; and
‘‘(C) has a strategy to solicit substantial financial
support from non-Federal sources to ensure that the coali-
tion and the programs operated by the coalition are self-
sustaining.
‘‘(6) ACCOUNTABILITY.—The coalition shall—
‘‘(A) establish a system to measure and report
outcomes—
‘‘(i) consistent with common indicators and evalua-
tion protocols established by the Administrator; and
‘‘(ii) approved by the Administrator;
‘‘(B) conduct—
H. R. 956—6
‘‘(i) for an initial grant under this subchapter, an
initial benchmark survey of drug use among youth
(or use local surveys or performance measures avail-
able or accessible in the community at the time of
the grant application); and
‘‘(ii) biennial surveys (or incorporate local surveys
in existence at the time of the evaluation) to measure
the progress and effectiveness of the coalition; and
‘‘(C) provide assurances that the entity conducting an
evaluation under this paragraph, or from which the coali-
tion receives information, has experience—
‘‘(i) in gathering data related to substance abuse
among youth; or
‘‘(ii) in evaluating the effectiveness of community
anti-drug coalitions.
‘‘(b) GRANT AMOUNTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(A) GRANTS.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (iv), for a fiscal
year, the Administrator may grant to an eligible coali-
tion under this paragraph, an amount not to exceed
the amount of non-Federal funds raised by the coali-
tion, including in-kind contributions, for that fiscal
year.
‘‘(ii) SUSPENSION OF GRANTS.—If such grant recipi-
ent fails to continue to meet the criteria specified in
subsection (a), the Administrator may suspend the
grant, after providing written notice to the grant recipi-
ent and an opportunity to appeal.
‘‘(iii) RENEWAL GRANTS.—Subject to clause (iv), the
Administrator may award a renewal grant to a grant
recipient under this subparagraph for each fiscal year
following the fiscal year for which an initial grant
is awarded, in an amount not to exceed the amount
of non-Federal funds raised by the coalition, including
in-kind contributions, for that fiscal year, during the
4-year period following the period of the initial grant.
‘‘(iv) LIMITATION.—The amount of a grant award
under this subparagraph may not exceed $100,000 for
a fiscal year.
‘‘(B) COALITION AWARDS.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause
(ii), the Administrator may, with respect to a commu-
nity, make a grant to 1 eligible coalition that represents
that community.
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—The Administrator may make a
grant to more than 1 eligible coalition that represents
a community if—
‘‘(I) the eligible coalitions demonstrate that the
coalitions are collaborating with one another; and
‘‘(II) each of the coalitions has independently
met the requirements set forth in subsection (a).
‘‘(2) RURAL COALITION GRANTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In addition to awarding grants
under paragraph (1), to stimulate the development of
coalitions in sparsely populated and rural areas, the
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Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory
Commission, may award a grant in accordance with
this section to a coalition that represents a county
with a population that does not exceed 30,000 individ-
uals. In awarding a grant under this paragraph, the
Administrator may waive any requirement under sub-
section (a) if the Administrator considers that waiver
to be appropriate.
‘‘(ii) 
MATCHING
REQUIREMENT.—Subject 
to
subparagraph (C), for a fiscal year, the Administrator
may grant to an eligible coalition under this paragraph,
an amount not to exceed the amount of non-Federal
funds raised by the coalition, including in-kind con-
tributions, for that fiscal year.
‘‘(iii) SUSPENSION OF GRANTS.—If such grant recipi-
ent fails to continue to meet any criteria specified
in subsection (a) that has not been waived by the
Administrator pursuant to clause (i), the Administrator
may suspend the grant, after providing written notice
to the grant recipient and an opportunity to appeal.
‘‘(B) RENEWAL GRANTS.—The Administrator may award
a renewal grant to an eligible coalition that is a grant
recipient under this paragraph for each fiscal year following
the fiscal year for which an initial grant is awarded, in
an amount not to exceed the amount of non-Federal funds
raised by the coalition, including in-kind contributions, dur-
ing the 4-year period following the period of the initial
grant.
‘‘(C) LIMITATIONS.—
‘‘(i) AMOUNT.—The amount of a grant award under
this paragraph shall not exceed $100,000 for a fiscal
year.
‘‘(ii) AWARDS.—With respect to a county referred
to in subparagraph (A), the Administrator may award
a grant under this section to not more than 1 eligible
coalition that represents the county.
‘‘SEC. 1033. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION WITH
RESPECT TO GRANT RECIPIENTS.
‘‘(a) COALITION INFORMATION.—
‘‘(1) GENERAL AUDITING AUTHORITY.—For the purpose of
audit and examination, the Administrator—
‘‘(A) shall have access to any books, documents, papers,
and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant
renewal request under this chapter; and
‘‘(B) may periodically request information from a grant
recipient to ensure that the grant recipient meets the
applicable criteria under section 1032(a).
‘‘(2) APPLICATION PROCESS.—The Administrator shall issue
a request for proposal regarding, with respect to the grants
awarded under section 1032, the application process, grant
renewal, and suspension or withholding of renewal grants. Each
application under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall
be subject to review by the Administrator.
‘‘(3) REPORTING.—The Administrator shall, to the maximum
extent practicable and in a manner consistent with applicable
law, minimize reporting requirements by a grant recipient and
H. R. 956—8
expedite any application for a renewal grant made under this
subchapter.
‘‘(b) DATA COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator may collect data
from—
‘‘(A) national substance abuse organizations that work
with eligible coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions,
departments or agencies of the Federal Government, or
State or local governments and the governing bodies of
Indian tribes; and
‘‘(B) any other entity or organization that carries out
activities that relate to the purposes of the Program.
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES
OF
ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administrator
may—
‘‘(A) evaluate the utility of specific initiatives relating
to the purposes of the Program;
‘‘(B) conduct an evaluation of the Program; and
‘‘(C) disseminate information described in this sub-
section to—
‘‘(i) eligible coalitions and other substance abuse
organizations; and
‘‘(ii) the general public.
‘‘SEC. 1034. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
AND
AGREEMENTS.—With
respect to any grant recipient or other organization, the
Administrator may—
‘‘(A) offer technical assistance and training; and
‘‘(B) enter into contracts and cooperative agreements.
‘‘(2) COORDINATION OF PROGRAMS.—The Administrator may
facilitate the coordination of programs between a grant recipi-
ent and other organizations and entities.
‘‘(b) TRAINING.—The Administrator may provide training to any
representative designated by a grant recipient in—
‘‘(1) coalition building;
‘‘(2) task force development;
‘‘(3) mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment
and evaluation; or
‘‘(4) any other activity related to the purposes of the
Program.
‘‘Subchapter II—Advisory Commission
‘‘SEC. 1041. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMISSION.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commission to
be known as the ‘Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities’.
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The Advisory Commission shall advise, consult
with, and make recommendations to the Director concerning
matters related to the activities carried out under the Program.
‘‘SEC. 1042. DUTIES.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Commission—
‘‘(1) shall, not later than 30 days after its first meeting,
make recommendations to the Director regarding the selection
of an Administrator;
H. R. 956—9
‘‘(2) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement made by the
Program;
‘‘(3) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
the activities of the Program;
‘‘(4) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
any policy or criteria established by the Director to carry out
the Program;
‘‘(5) may—
‘‘(A) collect, by correspondence or by personal investiga-
tion, information concerning initiatives, studies, services,
programs, or other activities of coalitions or organizations
working in the field of substance abuse in the United
States or any other country; and
‘‘(B) with the approval of the Director, make the
information referred to in subparagraph (A) available
through appropriate publications or other methods for the
benefit of eligible coalitions and the general public; and
‘‘(6) may appoint subcommittees and convene workshops
and conferences.
‘‘(b) RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Director rejects any rec-
ommendation of the Advisory Commission under subsection (a)(1),
the Director shall notify the Advisory Commission in writing of
the reasons for the rejection not later than 15 days after receiving
the recommendation.
‘‘(c) CONFLICT
OF
INTEREST.—A member of the Advisory
Commission shall recuse himself or herself from any decision that
would constitute a conflict of interest.
‘‘SEC. 1043. MEMBERSHIP.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint 11 members
to the Advisory Commission as follows:
‘‘(1) four members shall be appointed from the general
public and shall include leaders—
‘‘(A) in fields of youth development, public policy, law,
or business; or
‘‘(B) of nonprofit organizations or private foundations
that fund substance abuse programs.
‘‘(2) four members shall be appointed from the leading
representatives of national substance abuse reduction organiza-
tions, of which no fewer than three members shall have exten-
sive training or experience in drug prevention.
‘‘(3) three members shall be appointed from the leading
representatives of State substance abuse reduction organiza-
tions.
‘‘(b) CHAIRPERSON.—The Advisory Commission shall elect a
chairperson or co-chairpersons from among its members.
‘‘(c) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The ex officio membership of the
Advisory Commission shall consist of any two officers or employees
of the United States that the Director determines to be necessary
for the Advisory Commission to effectively carry out its functions.
‘‘SEC. 1044. COMPENSATION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Advisory Commission who
are officers or employees of the United States shall not receive
any additional compensation for service on the Advisory Commis-
sion. The remaining members of the Advisory Commission shall
receive, for each day (including travel time) that they are engaged
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in the performance of the functions of the Advisory Commission,
compensation at rates not to exceed the daily equivalent to the
annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–10 of the General
Schedule.
‘‘(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Advisory Commis-
sion shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title
5, United States Code.
‘‘SEC. 1045. TERMS OF OFFICE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the term of office
of a member of the Advisory Commission shall be 3 years, except
that, as designated at the time of appointment—
‘‘(1) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(1), two shall be appointed for a term of 2 years;
‘‘(2) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(2), two shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
‘‘(3) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(3), one shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.
‘‘(b) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for
an unexpired term of a member shall serve for the remainder
of the unexpired term. A member of the Advisory Commission
may serve after the expiration of such member’s term until a
successor has been appointed and taken office.
‘‘SEC. 1046. MEETINGS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—After its initial meeting, the Advisory
Commission shall meet, with the advanced approval of the Adminis-
trator, at the call of the Chairperson (or Co-chairpersons) of the
Advisory Commission or a majority of its members or upon the
request of the Director or Administrator of the Program.
‘‘(b) QUORUM.—Six members of the Advisory Commission shall
constitute a quorum.
‘‘SEC. 1047. STAFF.
‘‘The Administrator shall make available to the Advisory
Commission adequate staff, information, and other assistance.
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‘‘SEC. 1048. TERMINATION.
‘‘The Advisory Commission shall terminate at the end of fiscal
year 2002.’’.
(b) REFERENCES.—Each reference in Federal law to subtitle
A of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, with the exception of section
1001 of such subtitle, in any provision of law that is in effect
on the day before the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed
to be a reference to chapter 1 of the National Narcotics Leadership
Act of 1988 (as so designated by this section).
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.