Rep. Boozman's Drug Court Improvements Become Law; Congressman Continues Anti-Meth Campaign With Amendments to ONDCP Bill

Rep. Boozman's Drug Court Improvements Become Law; Congressman Continues Anti-Meth Campaign With Amendments to ONDCP Bill

Congressman strengthens drug court programs, aims to get their hearings held in public places and to get more anti-meth ads on the air

Washington, Mar 9 -

U.S. Representative John Boozman's (R-AR) efforts to strengthen drug courts' testing policy became law today. Boozman's language to strengthen and improve drug courts was part of a larger anti-meth section in the reauthorization of the Patriot Act which President George W. Bush signed into law today.

"I am pleased that the president signed this language into law today. The drug courts in Arkansas have been extremely successful in reducing recidivism among drug offenders. We want to make them a model for the country," said Boozman.

Specifically, Boozman's language in the Patriot Act 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.

At the same time, Boozman continued to push for stronger methamphetamine laws by proposing that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) increase their spending on anti-meth ads; calling for a study of the benefits derived from holding drug court hearings in public places such as schools; and directing the ONDCP to ensure that the impact of drug usage on children of substance abusers is taken into consideration during formulation of the annual National Drug Control Strategy.

"Meth production and abuse in Arkansas is having a devastating effect on our communities and we are not alone. Around the country, communities are grappling with this scourge. For that reason, we are stepping up federal efforts to help in this fight" said Boozman.

Boozman latest efforts to address the meth problem in our nation came in the form of amendments to H.R. 2829, the "Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act." The amendments were agreed to by his colleagues and the final bill passed the House by a vote of 399-5.

The amendment to increase anti-meth ads was offered by Boozman and four of his colleagues, Reps. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT), Steve King (R-IA), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Mark Souder (R-IN) and Sam Graves (R-MO). Specifically, the amendment requires that that no less than ten percent of national media campaign funds will be spent on advertisements specifically intended to reduce methamphetamine use. The amendment grants the director the authority to award grants to private entities producing research-based public service messages, with the goal of reducing first-time meth use among young people.

"I feel strongly that we need to invest more resources into meth education and prevention. We need to highlight this drug in particular because it is so powerful it tears families apart and pushes people to violence," said Boozman.

The other amendment Boozman offered was a continuation of his efforts to strengthen the drug court programs by calling on the ONDCP to study the benefits of holding drug court hearings in public places such as schools. Boozman said this amendment was inspired by the work of Judge Mary Ann Gunn who runs the Washington County Drug Court and often takes her hearings to local schools.

"Drug Courts have proven to be an effective alternative to jail for individuals convicted of nonviolent drug charges. Judge Gunn has shown that they can also be used as a deterrent for young people. I want drug court judges to be able to use federal funds to hold their hearings in schools and this study would be the first step in that direction," said Boozman.

The Boozman amendment also directs the ONDCP to ensure that the effects of illicit drug abuse on children of substance abusers are considered in the annual National Drug Control Strategy.

"Research shows that children of substance abusers are much more likely to become drug abusers themselves," said Boozman. "No effective National Drug Control Strategy would be complete without considering the effects on children of substance abusers and how we can help prevent the cycle of drug abuse."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=40571