Timothy Roemer: “Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Owens-Kildee amendment to the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act and in…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Owens-Kildee amendment to the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act and in support of the Barrett-Roemer amendment. While I appreciate the interest of both gentlemen in putting together good legislation and their concern for the DARE Program, I believe that if we continue along the lines of their perfecting amendments, the outcome will mean that we do not ensure that these programs will continue. As many of my colleagues may know, under the current Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Governors are allowed to set aside 30 percent of the State allocation for statewide programs, including the DARE Program, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program. Unfortunately, H.R. 6, as reported by the committee, eliminates all funding for the Governors' programs. While in many instances I can understand the position that we should fund as much money as possible to the local level, I must disagree with this particular approach. From the degree of efficiency, the Barrett-Roemer amendment would provide a much more efficient means to get the money directly to the programs for DARE and to fight drug abuse.”