Boozman Drug Amendment Passed

Boozman Drug Amendment Passed

U.S. Representative John Boozman's (R-AR) drug court and child substance abuse amendment passed the House of Representatives, Thursday, with the passage of H.R. 2829, the Office of National Drug Policy Reauthorization Act.

The Act was passed by voice vote as part of the suspension calendar.

H.R. 2829 includes the Boozman Amendment, providing for two simple actions by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

First, the amendment requires ONDCP to study and assess trends relating to the effects of illicit drug use on children of substance abusers. This information will assist Congress, as well as States, local governments and private groups, as we work to protect these children.

The second part of the amendment requires ONDCP to conduct a study on drug court programs that hold hearings in nontraditional public places, such as schools. The goal of such non-traditional locations will allow children to be exposed to the consequences of methamphetamines, while laying the groundwork for jurisdictions across the country to begin implementing it.

Rep. Boozman was named to the Task Force for a Drug Free America in 2003. Since then, he has authored language for the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) authorizing 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.

Rep. Boozman has also been instrumental is facilitating communication between law enforcement, Congress, parents and educators, on the dangers of drugs and gangs by hosting the "Ice in the Ozarks" hearing (Bentonville) in 2004, as well as an Anti-Gang Summit (Springdale) in September 2006, and participating in a Gang Awareness Seminar (Rogers) in November 2006.

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=54053