The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act is Part A of Title IV – 21st Century Schools authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110, NCLB). The NCLB Act substantially revised the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA) in a manner designed to provide all of America’s school children with the opportunity to achieve academic success.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Safe and Drug Free Act is to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; involve parents and communities; and coordinate with related Federal, State, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment. Additionally, student academic support is provided through the provision of Federal assistance. The assistance is provided through:

• States for grants to, and contracts with, community-based organizations and public and private entities for programs of drug and violence prevention and early intervention, including community-wide drug and violence prevention planning and organizing activities
• States for development, training, technical assistance, and coordination activities
• Public and private entities to provide technical assistance; conduct training, demonstrations, and evaluation; and to provide supplementary services and community-wide drug and violence prevention planning and organizing activities for the prevention of drug use and violence among students and youth

For additional information about legislation visit the U.S. Department of Education's web page on Title IV-21st Century Schools.

GOAL

The goal of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program is to ensure a comprehensive prevention and intervention program designed to create a safe, healthy, and successful academic learning environment, which will maximize students’ physical and emotional safety, and academic success.

OBJECTIVES

• Decrease rate of incidents related to violence
• Decrease the number of students using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
• Increase student achievement and participation in extra curricular activities and organizations
• Increase parent and community participation