Members of Congress are back in their home states for August recess, making this the perfect time to advocate for increases in federal funding for addiction treatment and prevention, the Legal Action Center (LAC) said.

In an alert sent out to supporters, the advocacy group urged supporters to call their Senators and Representatives before Congress reconvenes in the fall. The full House of Representatives has already approved a version of the centerpiece Labor HHS funding bill, whereas the Senate bill has been approved by committee but not come up for a floor vote yet.

LAC is calling for lawmakers to support the $35 million increase in the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant approved by the House, as well as an amendment to the House bill that increased funding for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities state grant program from $300 million to $346.5 million.

"Please contact your Congressional Representatives and your Senators immediately to ask them to support the FY 2008 alcohol and drug prevention and treatment field's requested funding levels for drug and alcohol treatment, prevention, education and research programs," LAC urged. "Members of the Senate are particularly important since its Labor HHS bill would fund both the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grant and the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities State Grants Program at lower levels than the House. They need to hear from you, their constituents, about how critical these services are to saving lives and money by reducing costs to the healthcare, welfare and criminal justice systems."