What Is the Drug-Free Communities Support Program?

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program gives grants to community coalitions that work to reduce youth substance use, and a coalition must meet the eligibility criteria in 21 U.S.C. 1532 to receive an initial or renewal grant. ONDCP funds the program (White House ONDCP page).

Sector representation. A coalition must include one or more representatives of each of 12 categories: youth, parents, businesses, the media, schools, organizations serving youth, law enforcement, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and volunteer groups, health care professionals, state, local or tribal agencies with substance use expertise, and other organizations working to reduce substance use (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(2)). If feasible, the coalition must also have an elected official, or a representative of one, from the federal government and from the state and local or tribal government (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(2)(B)).

Track record. The coalition's representatives must have worked together on substance use reduction initiatives for at least six months, with substantial participation from volunteer community leaders (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(3)).

Mission and evaluation. The coalition's principal mission must be reducing substance use and misuse with a primary focus on youth (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(4)). Coalitions must conduct an initial benchmark survey of youth drug use and biennial surveys to measure progress (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(6)).

Grant limits. A grant may not exceed $125,000 for a fiscal year, and the amount is tied to the non-Federal funds the coalition raises, including in-kind contributions (21 U.S.C. 1532(b)).

Where employers fit. Businesses are one of the 12 required sectors (21 U.S.C. 1532(a)(2)). The FAQ on drug-free workplace program components describes workplace programs, and the FAQ on the benefits of drug testing employees explains reasons employers test.

Background. The FAQ on what ONDCP is explains the office that funds the program.