Washington Roundup June 7, 2002
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Slow Progress on FY 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Delays Congressional Work on FY 2003 Funding Bills: Additional Delays Possible after Bush Announcement of New Homeland Security Administration

Over the last two weeks, the Senate and House of Representatives each have passed a supplemental  FY 2002 appropriations bill, directing funding at additional national security and anti-terrorism projects, economic revitalization of New York, and other select federal programs and special projects.  Drug and alcohol treatment and prevention funding was not included in the FY 2002 supplemental appropriations bill.

The bill has taken more time than appropriators anticipated, moving to the Conference Committee several weeks behind schedule, partly on account of disagreements over adding language addressing overall spending limits for FY 2003.  While the House of Representatives has passed a budget resolution intended to guide spending across the 13 appropriations committees, the Senate has not yet passed one.  Additionally, House and Senate leadership disagree about the overall spending limit that should be set that would allow for adequate funds for the FY 2003 appropriations process. 

Slow progress on the FY 2002 supplemental appropriations process has delayed work on FY 2003 funding bills.  Additional variables likely to slow down the appropriations process even more this summer include disagreement between the House and Senate about overall spending levels for the FY 2003 funding bills and questions about which appropriations subcommittee would have jurisdiction over the possible new $37.5 billion Homeland Security Administration announced by President Bush this week.  The new Homeland Security Administration represents a significant reorganization of government resources; therefore who controls the funding of these resources will be an important question for the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to address once the blueprint for the administration is finalized.   

Delay in work on the FY 2003 funding bills has created concern among some members of Congress that such a late start does not leave enough time to complete all 13 appropriations bills separately.  In order to expedite the appropriations process, some members of the House Appropriations Committee have suggested combining all non-defense spending bills into one or two omnibus spending bills.  It is unclear at this time whether this will be the legislative process pursued.  Regardless of the legislative process undertaken, funding for all federal programming will be competitive this year.  Congressional staff have indicated that grassroots advocates will have to vocalize significant support for programs they do not want to see sustain funding cuts.      

Federal Government’s “Seal of Approval” Awarded to 25 Exemplary Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs: Drug Czar, SAMHSA Administrator and other Federal Officials Recognize Recipient Achievements in Washington

This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the names of 25 exemplary drug and alcohol prevention programs that received a government seal of approval for preventing and reducing drug and alcohol use and abuse and other risky behaviors in communities across America..  The programs were selected after a rigorous scientific review of more than 200 programs. 

The 25 model programs received the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award and will be listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs.  SAMHSA also honored five promising programs, recognized as innovative, community-based programs that have shown preliminary results in preventing youth from engaging in the use of alcohol and drugs.  Promising programs are nominated by state agencies and national organizations and are selected in collaboration with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.  Both award programs are part of SAMHSA’s ongoing efforts to identify and disseminate information widely about science-based prevention that has demonstrated consistently positive results. 

Federal officials attending a press conference and awards luncheon recognizing the 30 programs included John Walters, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Charles Curie, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Dr. Ruth Sanchez-Way, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention; Dr. Glen Hanson, Acting Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse; and Dr. Raynard Kington, Acting Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Additionally, community and national representatives from the alcohol and drug prevention and treatment field attended the events, including First Lady Hope Taft from Ohio and Joseph Califano, Jr., President of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.