Rep. Boozman's Effort to Strengthen Drug Court Program Passes the House

Rep. Boozman's Effort to Strengthen Drug Court Program Passes the House

Congressman's bill included as part of larger anti-meth package in Patriot Act reauthorization legislation

Washington, Dec 14 -

Language authored by U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) that will strengthen drug courts across the country was included in the compromise bill that reauthorizes the Patriot Act.

H.R. 3199, the "USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005," passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 251-174 today.

Boozman's language in the bill was taken from the "Drug Courts Improvement Act," which he had introduced earlier this year to strengthen and improve the federal government's Drug Courts Grant Program.

Drug courts provide an alternative to incarceration for persons convicted of drug related charges as well as for persons whose substance abuse was a factor in the commission of a crime (e.g. crime was committed while under the influence or to maintain drug use). Drug court participants are required to successfully complete treatment for their addiction and must comply with various requirements or expectations including: passing random drug tests, maintaining gainful employment and participating in 12-Step or other self help groups.

Boozman said his efforts were "inspired by the successes" of Arkansas' drug courts and influenced by the work of Judge Mary Ann Gunn who runs the Washington County Drug Court.

"The drug courts in Arkansas have been extremely successful in reducing recidivism among drug offenders," said Boozman. "They have proven to be an effective alternative to jail for individuals convicted of nonviolent drug charges. The programs are intense, and as a result, set participants on course to being a productive member of the community."

Specifically, the language authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to create specific guidelines for testing; ensure that testing is as accurate as possible; and require immediate and dramatic punitive sanctions and/or therapeutic measures when a participant fails a drug test.

"By creating uniformity in the drug testing policy we refocus drug courts on the actual rehabilitation rate, rather than simply on the re-arrest rate," said Boozman.

Boozman's language in the bill was included with a number of provisions aimed at addressing the methamphetamine epidemic that is plaguing Arkansas and states across the nation.

Highlights of those other provisions include:
· Requiring precursor drugs to be sold from behind the counter or kept in a locked cabinet;
· Requiring that individuals show ID and sign a log book upon purchase of precursor drugs;
· Authorizing import and domestic manufacturing quotas of precursor drugs to ensure that oversupply does not allow criminals to turn excess drugs into meth;
· Creating grants to help meth-endangered children; and
· Toughening federal penalties for meth traffickers and smugglers as well as for those who "cook" or deal meth in the presence of children.

"Meth production and abuse in Arkansas is having a devastating effect on our communities," said Boozman. "Now, with the inclusion of these anti-meth provisions in the Patriot Act reauthorization, we are getting some help. Passage of this bill not only gives the government tools to fight terrorism, but will help our communities tackle the problems that meth has created."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=37746