H.R.894 - Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 894, the "Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025," aims to authorize grants for school-community partnerships focused on preventing substance use and misuse among youth. The bill allows the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to award grants to eligible entities, which are coalitions that have already received funding under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and have a memorandum of understanding with a local school. These partnerships will implement effective drug prevention programs tailored to the specific needs of the school and community.
The bill defines key terms such as "Drug-Free Communities funded coalition," "effective drug prevention programs," and "school-community partnership" to ensure clarity and consistency in implementation. It also specifies that grants cannot exceed $75,000 per fiscal year and authorizes appropriations of $7,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031.
Ultimately, the goal is to supplement existing drug prevention efforts in schools by fostering collaboration between schools and community organizations to address substance use and misuse among youth.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to increase the availability of targeted drug prevention programs in schools through collaborative efforts between schools and community organizations. This could lead to a reduction in substance use and misuse among youth in participating communities.
Furthermore, the bill could strengthen the existing Drug-Free Communities program by providing additional resources and support for local coalitions. It also establishes a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of these programs, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
However, the limited funding and specific eligibility requirements may restrict the reach and impact of the program to only a select number of communities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Drug Prevention Programs: The bill promotes the implementation of tailored and effective drug prevention programs in schools.
- Community Collaboration: It fosters collaboration between schools and community organizations, leveraging local resources and expertise.
- Targeted Funding: The grant program provides targeted funding to support specific school-community partnerships.
- Data-Driven Strategies: The bill emphasizes the use of data and evaluation to ensure program effectiveness.
- Youth Empowerment: By reducing substance use and misuse, the bill can empower youth to make healthier choices and improve their overall well-being.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Funding: The authorized funding of $7,000,000 per year may be insufficient to address the widespread issue of substance use and misuse among youth across the country.
- Eligibility Restrictions: The eligibility requirements may exclude some potentially effective community organizations that do not meet the specific criteria.
- Administrative Burden: The application process and reporting requirements may create an administrative burden for eligible entities and local schools.
- Potential for Ineffective Programs: There is a risk that some programs may not be as effective as anticipated, despite the emphasis on data-driven strategies.
- Supplement, Not Supplant Provision: The requirement that grants supplement, not supplant, existing funding may limit the impact of the program in some communities.
Constitutional Alignment
The "Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025" appears to align with the general welfare clause of the U.S. Constitution, as it aims to promote the health and well-being of young people by preventing substance use and misuse. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this bill falls under Congress's power to regulate activities that affect interstate commerce, as drug use can have broader economic and social consequences.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties. It does not establish any religious preference, restrict freedom of speech, or violate due process rights. The focus on prevention and education aligns with the government's legitimate interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens.
However, the implementation of the program should be carefully monitored to ensure that it does not inadvertently infringe upon any individual rights or liberties. For example, any data collection or surveillance activities should be conducted in accordance with privacy laws and regulations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).