Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communites

On January 8, 2002, the President signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), which reauthorizes the Elementary And Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSC) as Title IV, Part A of the NCLB became effective on July 1, 2002. The purpose of the SDFSC is to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement.

The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) also receives SDFSC funds to support community efforts to keep youth drug and alcohol free. The ADP now requires that the SDFSC funds allocated to community-based grantees through competitive Request For Applications (RFAs) are used to support programs or activities that complement and support activities of local educational agencies (LEAs).

The mission of the Safe and Healthy Kids Program Office (SHKPO) is to provide leadership to keep youth safe and alcohol, tobacco and drug free. Drug, alcohol and tobacco-use prevention programs are part of this effort as well as violence prevention and school safety are part of this effort. Programs to promote youth development, resiliency, buffers, protective factors, and assets are also part of this effort. The purpose of our prevention programs and youth development efforts is to foster a positive learning environment that supports academic achievement.