Congressman Sander Levin

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities

The Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities program (SDFSC) is the backbone of the federal effort to combat drug use and violence in and around schools. It is the only federal program that provides education about substance abuse and violence to students in elementary and secondary schools. SDFSC funding is currently used by 97% of the nation’s school districts and serves more than 37 million students per year.

Despite the program’s widespread use and success, the FY2010 federal budget proposal calls for eliminating the program. I am deeply concerned that this will remove drug and violence prevention efforts from classrooms across the country. I have co-lead bipartisan efforts in past Congresses to preserve and to increase funding for this vital program, and am co-leading this effort again this year.

The SDFSC program is proven to reduce student drug use. Studies show that from 1987 to 1992, there was a 155% increase in funding for this program and a 42% decrease in adolescent drug use. From 1992 to 2007, there was a 54% decrease in funding and a 52% increase in drug use. SDFSC is necessary to helping school districts develop, operate, and expand programs on drug and violence prevention.

(Updated June 18, 2009)