Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on  Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives, is convening a forum featuring Gil Kerlikowske, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and local drug-control officials to discuss the impact of Federal and localized drug prevention and treatment initiatives to combat recidivism and substance misuse. The Subcommittee has a jurisdiction over ONDCP.

The National Institute of Justice found that drug courts reduce crime among program participants and save taxpayer money. A recent Department of Justice study showed drug court participants reported 25 percent less criminal activity and had 16 percent fewer arrests than comparable offenders not enrolled in drug courts. Drug courts on average return $7 to the community for every $1 invested, and up to $27 for every $1 invested when factoring in savings from reduced foster care placements, health care services and other cost offsets.

The forum will feature two panels with federal officials and local advocates. The first panel will discuss local Federal initiatives, including civilian and veteran drug prevention programs and drug courts, and the second panel will highlight the success of local drug treatment and adjudication programs and their impact on the health and safety of local communities. (Open to Press)

Who:  

Panel 1

Gil Kerlikowske, Director, National Drug Control Policy
The Honorable Paul Biebel, Jr., Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Renee Oshinski, Deputy Director, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12
Michael Finley, Michael Finley Foundation, NBA Champion 2007 (San Antonio Spurs)
Mark Kammerer, Cook County State's Attorney's office

Panel 2

The Honorable Mattie Hunter, Illinois Senator – 3rd District
Neli Vazquez-Rowland, President, A Safe Haven Foundation
Sara Moscato Howe, MS, CHES, Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Association 
Joel K. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Human Resources Development Institute, Inc.

When:   

Monday, October 17, 2011 

Forum:  9:00 a.m.   A Safe Haven, 2750 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608

Media Availability: 1:45 p.m. --  Loyola University Chicago, Lewis Towers,  Rm #1536, 111 East Pearson, Chicago, IL

Additional Links

Letter from Ranking Member Davis inviting Committee Members to Attend

Opening Statement of Ranking Member Davis

Statement of Jim Costello, Substance Abuse Survivor

Related News:  Cummings, Ranking Members to Issa – Stop Interfering with Democratic Oversight Work