# Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act

This bill provides emergency financial support to community organizations that work to prevent drug abuse and addiction, particularly those that were hit hard by the pandemic. These groups—often called Drug-Free Community coalitions—typically run prevention programs in schools and neighborhoods, educate young people about the dangers of drugs, and help coordinate local efforts to combat substance abuse. During the pandemic, many of these organizations lost funding and had to scale back their work just when drug problems were getting worse in many communities.

The bill essentially gives these organizations money to get back on their feet and continue their prevention work. This affects local community groups, schools, and neighborhoods across the country that depend on these coalitions to keep young people away from drugs and help address addiction problems. If you live in an area with an active Drug-Free Community coalition, this funding could mean they can restore programs that were cut during COVID-19, hire back staff, and expand their outreach efforts. The money is meant to help these groups recover from pandemic-related losses and continue their mission of keeping communities safer from drug abuse.

Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act

Portman, Rob

Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act This bill authorizes the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, subject to certain limitations, to waive matching funds requirements applicable to certain grants for reducing substance use among youth. Before waiving these requirements, the program must determine that a grantee is unable to raise funds because of the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Currently, the Office of National Drug Control Policy administers this program, and community coalitions that receive the grants must match a specified percentage of the federal award amount with nonfederal funds, including in-kind contributions.