FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2007

CONTACT:
Jennifer Columbel
(703) 575-9400, x14; cell 703-731-0966

Senate Passes Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill

SAMHSA Funding to Include $31.8 Million for Drug Court Treatment Grants

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate approved funding for the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services (HHS), Education and Related Agencies, within which appropriations for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are included. Representing over $149 billion in total discretionary spending, the appropriation measure includes increased levels of funding for drug treatment courts within the SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). $31.8 was appropriated for drug treatment courts, which is a $21.7 million increase over the previous year.

“The National Association of Drug Court Professionals applauds the passage of this spending measure,” said NADCP Chief Executive Officer West Huddleston. “In our continuing efforts to take drug courts to scale, the increased funding level means greater access to treatment and expansion for the field. This measure represents a strong foundation on which the drug court field may continue to expand to reach a larger population of addicts in need.”

The total bill reflects $9.6 billion more than was requested in the President’s budget proposal; overall funding for CSAT was increased by $26.7 million to $425.6 million for FY2008.

About NADCP
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) are responsible for advocacy, training, research and scholarship on behalf of drug courts nationwide. With more than 1,900 drug courts nationwide, and 500 more in planning stages, drug courts have experienced phenomenal success and tremendous growth by reducing substance abuse, crime and recidivism. Since 1994, NADCP has represented over 20,000 judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers and rehabilitation experts, law enforcement and corrections personnel, educators, researchers and community leaders.

In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report confirming that drug courts are an effective tool in reducing substance abuse and related crime. Last year, states reported nearly 20,000 graduates from drug courts nationally, and at least 840 drug-free babies were born to drug court clients. More than 70,000 individuals are currently being served by drug court programs.

For more information, visit http://www.nadcp.org/.