Federal youth drug prevention grants extended to 2028 with expanded school eligibility

What does this do?

S 3006 renews a federal grant program, originally created in 2018, that funds drug and alcohol misuse prevention and recovery support for young people. The bill extends the program through 2028 and authorizes funding from 2026 through 2030. It also broadens eligibility to include groups of school districts applying jointly, all secondary schools rather than high schools alone, and tribal nations, while requiring applicants to submit a sustainability plan showing how programs will continue after federal funding ends.

Who does it affect?

Middle and high school students, particularly those at higher risk for substance misuse, are the primary population the program serves. Schools, school districts, community organizations, tribal nations, and the staff running prevention and recovery programs are directly affected as potential grant recipients.

Why does it matter?

Extending the program keeps federal funding available for prevention and recovery efforts that would otherwise lose support when the original authorization expired. The expanded eligibility means more institutions, including tribal nations and groups of school districts, could access grants that were previously out of their reach.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Starts at $10M per year in 2026
• Grows to $15M per year by 2030
• Funding window runs 2026 to 2030