Harris Builds on Previous Efforts to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse by Leading New Bill

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced he has become an original co-sponsor of the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, which was introduced in the House of Representatives today. This bill would help support the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, which mobilizes and provides grants to community coalitions working to prevent and reduce youth substance and opioid use. The bill would permit the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to waive certain cost-sharing requirements, due to the extraordinary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure communities are not penalized during these unprecedented times.

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

“I have been a consistent supporter of the Drug Free Communities Support Program, and Maryland’s First District has benefited tremendously from the services offered by both the program and the coalitions receiving grants. This past October, I announced four grants totaling half a million dollars to local coalitions under this program in the District – Cecil County for the Cecily County Drug-Free Communities Coalition; Bayshore Community Counseling Services, Inc. in Crisfield for the Crisfield Community Prevention Works Drug Free Coalition; 360 Degree Development Institute, Inc. in Pocomoke for the Somerset Prevention Works Drug Free Coalition; and Community Services and Research Center in Pocomoke for the Pocomoke City Drug Free Coalition. And in December, I announced a fifth grantee award to Mosaic Community Services, Inc., for the Berlin Prevention Works Coalition for Drugs and Alcohol-Free Communities.

Fighting the opioid epidemic has been and continues to be a top priority for me in Congress. As a physician and father of six children, I am committed to ensuring our local, rural families and communities continue to receive these needed resources now more than ever. The flexibility provided under this bill, especially when the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdowns are likely to have exacerbated the issue of addiction in certain households, will help to ensure these strong community coalitions continue to protect our youth against opioids, marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine, and I am proud to be an original cosponsor.”