"Drug Court Grant Receives a 50% Increase in Funding"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 7, 2008

Drug Court Grant Receives a 50% Increase in Funding
Work of drug court professionals ensures increase!

Washington, D.C. – The DOJ Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program received a 50% increase in funding for FY08. “This represents the most substantial increase in federal drug court funding in the past six years!” said West Huddleston, CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. “Although this is not the $40 million we fought all year for on Capitol Hill, in this political environment this is a victory that every drug court professional should be proud of.” Huddleston continued. “Make no mistake. We received a 50% increase in funding because drug court professionals made their voices heard like never before in our history. We have restored broad bi-partisan support for the program and we will capitalize on that momentum to take drug courts to scale in 2009.”

The President signed into law a consolidated fiscal year 2008 spending bill for the federal government after much debate and negotiation with the Congress. Earlier in the year, the House and Senate passed spending bills in excess of the President’s request. With a Presidential veto looming, the Congress in early December went back to the drawing board to determine how to address a $23 billion difference. By-in-large the Congress decided to fund domestic programs slightly below the fiscal year 2007 level while maintaining several domestic priorities. Drug courts were among only a handful of domestic priorities that saw an increase. The measure provides $15.2 million for drug courts; a 50% increase over the $10 million that was appropriated in fiscal year 2006 and 2007, and restores the funding that was zeroed out by the Administration for fiscal year 2008.

Though historically receiving an average $40 million appropriation through the DOJ discretionary grant program, drug court funding suffered deep cuts in FY2006, falling 75% to $10 million, which was carried over in the Continuing Resolution for FY2007. The House and Senate restored the $40 million earlier in the year. However, during the final negotiation the Appropriators went back to the fiscal year 2007 funding levels to compromise with the Administration on the overall package.

About NADCP

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) are responsible for advocacy, training, research and scholarship on behalf of drug courts nationwide. With more than 1,900 drug courts nationwide, and 500 more in planning stages, drug courts have experienced phenomenal success and tremendous growth by reducing substance abuse, crime and recidivism. Since 1994, NADCP has represented over 20,000 judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers and rehabilitation experts, law enforcement and corrections personnel, educators, researchers and community leaders.

In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report confirming that drug courts are an effective tool in reducing substance abuse and related crime. Last year, states reported nearly 20,000 graduates from drug courts nationally, and at least 840 drug-free babies were born to drug court clients. More than 70,000 individuals are currently being served by drug court programs.

For more information, visit http://www.nadcp.org/.

Contact: Jennifer Columbel
703-575-9400, ext 14/cell 703-731-0966
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