VA drug abuse funds withheld

VFW Magazine, April, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

Because VA failed to develop a "detailed financial plan" for its veterans substance abuse programs, more than three-quarters of its funds designated for those programs are in limbo.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has the authority to issue a Fund Control Notice if agencies do not adhere to its guidance. This was invoked Oct. 1, 2002, and limits VA's drug-related spending to about $186 million of its total $742 million projected spending for fiscal year 2003, which ends Sept. 30, 2003.

In order to free those funds, VA must submit a financial plan to ONDCP for approval as soon as Congress enacts VA's FY2003 appropriation.