Sponsors (3)
The bill directs modest federal funding and training to expand locally tailored youth substance‑use prevention and multi‑year school–coalition partnerships, but limited grant size/duration, partnership exclusivity, and administrative rules may constrain program reach and raise federal costs without guaranteed long-term results.
Students in participating schools gain access to locally tailored drug-prevention programs funded by grants (up to $75,000 per year), increasing prevention services available to children and youth.
Local communities and schools receive new federal resources—up to $7 million annually through FY2026–FY2031—to support community prevention efforts, expanding capacity for youth substance-misuse prevention.
Participating schools can form sustained partnerships with Drug-Free Communities coalitions with funding renewable for up to three additional years, supporting continuity of prevention efforts.
Students and schools may receive only limited support because grants are capped at $75,000 per year and renewals are limited to three years, which may be insufficient for comprehensive, long-term prevention programs.
Taxpayers fund the program ($7 million per year) and up to 8% of awards may cover administrative costs, increasing federal spending without guaranteed long-term outcomes or demonstrated cost-effectiveness.
Only one Drug-Free Communities coalition may partner with a given school, which can exclude other local groups, limit competition, and reduce options for alternative or complementary approaches.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an ONDCP grant program funding Drug‑Free Communities coalitions partnering with K–12 schools for prevention, authorizing $7M/year for FY2026–FY2031 and grants up to $75,000/year.
Authorizes the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to award grants to eligible Drug‑Free Communities coalitions that form memoranda of understanding with a local elementary, middle, or high school to carry out school‑community drug prevention programs. Grants may be for up to $75,000 per fiscal year, renewable for up to three additional years, and Congress authorizes $7 million annually for FY2026–FY2031 to support the program (up to 8% of funds may be used for administration).
Introduced January 30, 2025 by Jeanne Shaheen · Last progress January 30, 2025