FY 2011 Continuing Resolution Cuts Drug Free Communities Program, Impacts Current Grant Solicitation

The House recently passed its version of the FY 2011 Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government for the rest of this fiscal year. The House-passed CR cuts the Drug Free Communities program by $9.5 million, from $95 million to $85.5 million. If this cut becomes a reality, it means there will only be enough funding to support 7 new grants from the current grant solicitation that closes on March 18. The Senate has not yet passed its version of the CR, so there is still time to weigh in to try to get this money restored. If you haven't already, please respond to CADCA's legislative alert as soon as possible and mobilize others to do the same.

Funding for the program in the FY 2011 CR needs to be restored to the FY 2010 appropriated level of $95 million to allow at least 75 new grants to be awarded in this current grant year.

The DFC program does not warrant a cut. The national evaluation of the program, conducted by ICF International, found that DFC coalitions have reduced marijuana, alcohol and tobacco use to levels lower than the national average while simultaneously increasing the perceptions of risk for these substances at statistically significant rates.

It is critical that the field contacts its members of Congress to ensure that funding for the DFC program is restored in the FY 2011 CR.