Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, introduced July 9th by Congressman Harley Rouda (D-CA) and Congressman Ted Budd (R-NC) with Congresswoman Amata and other bipartisan support.

This bill would help ensure Drug-Free Communities coalitions and grantees can continue operations and efforts to reduce youth substance use during and despite the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues.

“Youth substance abuse becomes a personal crisis for every young person it affects,” said Aumua Amata. “This concern doesn’t go away because of the big picture focus on COVID-19. As communities, we have to continue these important efforts with our youth during this time. This bill ensures there’s no gap caused by the shift in public health and safety services.”

The bill adds flexibility, including a provision allowing the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which is under Director James Carroll, to waive matching requirements for Drug-Free Communities grantees when they cannot raise that match based on issues surrounding COVID 19.

“Thank you to Congressmen Rouda and Budd for their bipartisan leadership in building support for this effort,” continued Amata. “Thank you especially to our local leaders and volunteers in this good work, along with active parents, teachers and friends of those who might be at risk.”

This bill has public support from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America; Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse; NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals; National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors; National Families in Action; International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium; and National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives.