Bobby Scott: “we have very many disparities in the criminal justice system, particularly the juvenile justice system. But many of…”

“we have very many disparities in the criminal justice system, particularly the juvenile justice system. But many of these programs have been terminated to fund tax cuts, primarily for those with incomes over $200,000. One of those programs is the Reintegration of Youthful Offenders program sponsored by the Department of Labor. It helps young people get jobs, and we know that those with jobs are much less likely to commit crimes in the future. We could fund this program by eliminating the earmark of $10 million for random nonsuspicion-based drug testing. Studies show that that drug testing does not reduce drug use, and that is why that kind of drug testing is opposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the National Education Association. I would hope that as we go forward, adjustments in the budget to re- fund the Reintegration of Youthful Offender program and un-fund the earmark for $10 million for the random nonsuspicion-based drug testing could be made. This amendment would be supported by the American Correctional Association, the Association for Addictive Professionals, and the National Association of Social Workers.”