Notice2021-14365
Application of Equity in U.S. National Drug Control Policy
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 7, 2021
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the PresidentOffice of National Drug Control Policy
Abstract
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is seeking comments from the public on whether and to what extent ONDCP's policy development process, drug budget review and certification processes of the 18 National Drug Control Program Agencies, and Grant Administration Programs perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities for underserved communities and individuals from those communities. ONDCP is also seeking comments from the public regarding how its future proposed policies, budgets, regulations, grants, or programs might be more effective in advancing equity.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35828-35829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14365]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Application of Equity in U.S. National Drug Control Policy
AGENCY: Office of National Drug Control Policy.
ACTION: Request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is seeking
comments from the public on whether and to what extent ONDCP's policy
development process, drug budget review and certification processes of
the 18 National Drug Control Program Agencies, and Grant Administration
Programs perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities for underserved
communities and individuals from those communities. ONDCP is also
seeking comments from the public regarding how its future proposed
policies, budgets, regulations, grants, or programs might be more
effective in advancing equity.
DATES: ONDCP encourages and will accept public comments on or before
August 6, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by members of the general
public and stakeholder organizations by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e01090d0e21202a2d3e602b213e60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4ebe3e7e4cbcac0c7d48ac1cbd48ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ONDCP seeks input according to the processes
outlined by Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, that requires agencies to
select certain agency programs and policies and assess whether
underserved communities and their members, face systemic barriers in
accessing benefits and opportunities available pursuant to those
policies and programs.
E.O. 13985 defines ``equity'' as the consistent and systematic
fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including
individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied
such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native
American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other
persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with
disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise
adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. It defines
``underserved communities'' as populations sharing a particular
characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been
systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of
economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the
preceding definition of ``equity.''
The E.O. requires agencies to assess whether, and to what extent,
its programs and policies perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities
and benefits for people of color and other underserved groups. Such
assessments will better equip agencies to develop policies and programs
that deliver resources and benefits equitably to all. The E.O. also
requires agencies to study strategies for allocating Federal resources,
consistent with applicable law, in a manner that increases investment
in underserved communities, and individuals from those communities, to
address the historic failure to ensure investments are sufficient,
just, and equal. However, many Federal datasets are not disaggregated
by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, income, veteran status, or
other key demographic variables. Furthermore, in carrying out the E.O.,
agencies shall consult with members of communities that have been
historically underrepresented in the Federal Government and underserved
by, or subject to discrimination in, Federal policies and programs. The
head of each agency shall evaluate opportunities, consistent with
applicable law, to increase coordination, communication, and engagement
with community-based organizations and civil rights organizations.
ONDCP is the agency in the Executive Office of the President
primarily responsible for leading and coordinating the nation's drug
control policy through the development and oversight of the National
Drug Control Strategy and the National Drug Control Budget. ONDCP
recently released the Biden-Harris Administration's Drug Policy
Priorities for the Administration's first year. The seven priorities
propose specific and targeted actions to reduce overdoses and promote
recovery, including advancing racial equity in our approach to drug
policy, expanding access to quality treatment, reducing the supply of
illicit substances, and enhancing evidence-based harm reduction
services that engage and build trust with people who use drugs, among
others. The priorities emphasize several cross-cutting facets of the
overdose epidemic, namely by advancing racial equity in drug policy and
promoting harm-reduction efforts.
While ONDCP employs experts in policy, public health, and public
safety, the agency also organizes formal consultations with key
external stakeholders. These external perspectives are crucial to help
develop national drug control policy. ONDCP seeks to incorporate more
perspectives from a wide array of backgrounds, including those most
impacted by United States' drug policies.
Through budget review and certification processes, ONDCP aligns
funding resources for 18 Federal government agencies and departments
with the National Drug Control Strategy. The President's Fiscal Year
(FY) 2022 budget request, included a $41.0 billion investment for
national drug program agencies, representing a $669.9 million increase
over the FY 2021 enacted level. The largest increases in funding are
for critical public health interventions like treatment and prevention
services. Each spring, ONDCP's policy and budget staff develop and
share budget guidance letters with these agencies. Agencies then review
the budget guidance letters and submit preliminary budget proposals to
ONDCP. ONDCP reviews the budget proposals to ensure they meet the
guidance requirements and, based on the outcome of the review,
certifies agency budgets. Key information about where drug budget
investments are directed and the impact for different demographic
groups (e.g., by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, income, veteran
status, and more) is not fully known.
Request for Comments: Pursuant to E.O. 13985, ONDCP is issuing this
request for information (RFI), to gather data on whether and to what
extent ONDCP's policy development process, drug budget review and
certification processes, and Grant Administration Programs perpetuate
systemic barriers to opportunities for underserved communities and
individuals from those communities. In addition, ONDCP is issuing this
RFI to gather information as to how its future proposed policies,
budgets, regulations, grants, or programs might be more effective in
advancing equity. Public input, information, and recommendations will
help ONDCP develop an approach to advance equity in drug policy.
The work of advancing equity requires a holistic assessment of
ONDCP practices and policies. The agency welcomes submissions that
provide resources, tools, and examples of how
[[Page 35829]]
the agency might perform an effective assessment on its Grant
Administration Programs, ONDCP's policy development process, and
ONDCP's drug budget review and certification processes, with the goal
of embedding equity throughout agency practices and policies.
Submissions might consider questions such as:
<bullet> Jurisdictions at the State, local, Tribal, and territorial
levels have implemented equity assessment tools to inform their
policymaking or budgetary processes. What are the lessons these
jurisdictions have learned from implementing or interacting with those
tools?
<bullet> Formal consultations for the National Drug Control
Strategy often involve direct relationships between ONDCP and the
consulting group, organization, or subject matter expert. What are
recommendations on how the agency can broaden its formal consultations
to gain broader perspectives earlier in the policy development process?
<bullet> How might research examine equity in the context of law
enforcement actions against drug trafficking or transnational criminal
organizations? Are there existing applicable research frameworks that
might be applied to ONDCP's Grant Administration Programs or other
multi-jurisdictional task forces?
<bullet> What nationally representative private health, drug or
crime databases or systems might be leveraged to provide information
about equitable application of U.S. drug policy and how might access to
such databases improve equitable responses? Please provide specific
contact information for follow-up with those in a position to authorize
dataset access.
<bullet> Provide recommendations for ONDCP to involve people who
use drugs, especially those not typically included in household
surveys, in the development of National drug control policy.
<bullet> What would be your recommendations for short-term and
long-term goals that ONDCP should take into account to measure progress
towards equity in drug policy?
(Authority: E.O. 13985, signed by the President on January 20,
2021.)
Robert Kent,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021-14365 Filed 7-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3280-F5-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 7, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.