releases: http://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-asks-officials-about-federal-efforts-on-synthetic-drugs-and
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-asks-officials-about-federal-efforts-on-synthetic-drugs-and | Norton Asks Officials About Federal Efforts on Synthetic Drugs and Increased Funding for Drug Prevention and Treatment | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | DC | Eleanor Norton | N000147 | norton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sought answers on synthetic drugs at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing yesterday from Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Michael Botticelli and other federal officials and about available drug treatment and prevention programs, following her roundtable on Tuesday night featuring federal inmates returning to the District of Columbia after the U.S. Sentencing Commission reduced drug trafficking mandatory minimum sentences. Most of the returning D.C. citizens who testified explained how their drug trafficking activities were preceded by drug addiction. Director Botticelli said ONDCP had been limited in its drug prevention efforts due to a 5% funding cap for those programs included in ONDCPs last reauthorization, and ONDCP was barred from using any resources for treatment programs. In ONDCPs proposed reauthorization, officials have asked for that cap to be increased to 10% for prevention efforts and to have a 10% cap created for treatment efforts. Norton stressed that reaching people before their drug addiction leads to drug trafficking could reduce the need for ONDCPs major law enforcements mission. Norton also asked Director Botticelli about his agencys efforts to combat synthetic drugs, particularly in the District, where synthetic drug use has quickly risen and posed significant public safety and health problems. The Office of the D.C. Attorney General recently released a report indicating that, in October alone, emergency services were called 580 timesmore than 18 times a dayto respond to cases involving synthetic drugs. In September, D.C. and federal law enforcement conducted its largest ever synthetic drug bust, seizing 250 pounds of drugs worth more than $2.3 million. Director Botticelli said ONDCPs main challenge in combating synthetic drugs, unlike traditional drugs such as crack and heroin, is that manufacturers deliberately and regularly change the chemical composition of synthetic drugs. Director Botticelli said stronger legislation is needed from Congress. This year, Norton cosponsored two bipartisan bills to combat synthetic drugs as part of her efforts to address a spike in synthetic drug use in the District and the nation. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |