Federal grants are the primary source for funding DUI-related Programs.
The task of addressing the social cost of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is the responsibility of state and local law enforcement, prosecutors and courts. Various programs are used to address DUI-related issues, ranging from sobriety checkpoints to alcohol and drug treatment programs. State and local jurisdictions look to federal grant money for funding, which, in many cases, is the primary source of funding. Federal grants are provided in block form, funds that can be used for any law enforcement purpose, including DUI-related, and competitive grants intended specifically for DUI-related programs.
Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
The leading source of federal funding to support state and local law enforcement activities is the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, or JAG. This is a block grant program that is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice through its Bureau of Justice Assistance office. Each fiscal year, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) calculates the minimum allocation of JAG funds for every eligible jurisdiction based on a formula set by Congress. These funds are used to support a wide-range of law enforcement activities involving public education, crime prevention and prosecution. All state and locally run DUI-related programs, such as sobriety checkpoints and DUI-offender schools, can be funded using the JAG grant.
Grants for Adult Drug Courts
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, which is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services, administers grant programs that are designed to improve the quality and availability of treatment and rehabilitative services regarding substance abuse, including those that are DUI-related. The grants administered by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are competitive grants that require eligible applicants to submit grant requests for review and possible funding. With regard to DUI-related programs, SAMHSA grants are available to fund substance abuse treatment programs through the court system, such as DUI-related education programs that convicted offenders can be ordered to attend and complete.
Federal Highway Funds
Another source of federal grants related to state DUI activity is through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The general mission of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is writing and enforcing highway safety standards throughout the country. Part of NHTSA's efforts includes administering grants to the states for use in supporting safety-related enforcement activities. Any state can qualify for an increase in grant funds by meeting or exceeding NHTSA safety standards in such areas as DUI-related accidents. For example, under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), states are eligible for NHTSA grants if the alcohol-related fatality rates in the state are less than 0.5 for every 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled. These grants can be used for any DUI-related program, such as public education campaigns, sobriety checkpoints and court-mandated treatment programs.
Tags: Justice Assistance, enforcement activities, sobriety checkpoints, treatment programs, Abuse Mental, Abuse Mental Health, Assistance Grant