Congressman Sander Levin

Anti-Drug Efforts

I am the co-author of the federal program, The Drug Free Communities (DCF) Support Program, which is designed to reduce substance abuse among young people by supporting community anti-drug coalitions made up of youth, parents, local law enforcement, school officials, faith-based organizations, government agencies, health professionals and other community members.

I am also working to preserve the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, which has served as the backbone of school-based substance abuse prevention and intervention efforts. SDFSC funding is currently used by 97% of the nation's school districts and has contributed to a 24% overall decline in youth drug use over the past six years. The president's 2009 budget would cut the state grants by nearly two-thirds, to the lowest level in the history of the program. I am co-leading a bipartisan effort to restore funding to the levels needed to contiune the progress SDFSC has achieved.

While studies have shown a decline of youth substance use in recent years, the statistics are still alarming. In 2007, 21.9% of 12th graders surveyed had used drugs in the last month, 44.4% had used alcohol, and 21.6% had smoked cigarettes.

We have learned that our approach to substance abuse must be consistent, strong, and it must include prevention, treatment and law enforcement efforts. It must also involve all segments of our community in sending a unified message to our youth, and providing them with the tools necessary to avoid drugs.

• Contact Information For Local Community Anti-Drug Coalitions
• Information on Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities
• Information on the Drug Free Communities Support Program