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Fiscal Year 2006 Drug Court Funding
The Congress to Decide the Drug Court Appropriation After the August Recess
Your Support Is Critical !
As in previous years, the Administration requested an increase in the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. This year's request is in the midst of dramatic cuts and the zeroing out of 150 non-defense discretionary programs.
On June 16, 2005, the House approved $40 million. On June 21, 2005, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $25 million. In September the Congress will finalize the appropriations. We need the help of both the House and Senate to ensure that $40 million is approved.
It is critical that the Congress knows that you support the program. We encourage you to send letter, set up a meeting, and/or invite them to a graduation/status hearing during the August recess.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Full Funding for Drug Courts
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a drug court professional, I am writing to request that you support $40 million for the drug court grant program. Earlier this year the House approved $40 million, virtually the same as last year. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved only $25 million. It is critical that the funding level not be reduced below last year's level.
If the appropriation is reduced by $15 million, over 30 courts across the nation will not receive implementation funding, and thousands of substance-abusing offenders will not receive treatment through a drug court. Drug courts and public safety in our State are in jeopardy.
We in the drug court field have long known that drug courts work. In 2004, over 16,000 individual graduated from drug courts nationally, over 70,000 individuals are being served at any one time, and over 460 drug-free babies were born to drug court clients. In February 2005, the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report to the Congress confirming that drug courts are an effective tool in reducing recidivism.
In light of evidence from the GAO, the government's highest office on efficiency, how can the Congress reduce funding for one of the few effective tools available to communities to reduce recidivism? It is critical that jurisdictions throughout the country are armed with the tools to combat substance abuse and related crime in a cost-effective manner.
For every $1 spent on drug courts, communities nationwide generate a cost savings of $10 in reduced jail or prison use, reduced criminality and lower criminal justice system costs. Much of this savings comes from the reduced recidivism rate for drug court graduates. Please contact your colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to ensure the $40 million is approved. Again, drug courts and public safety in our State depend on this.
Sincerely,
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