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H.R. 4550 105th Congress House

Drug Demand Reduction Act

Official title: To provide for programs to facilitate a significant reduction in the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse through reducing the demand for illegal drugs and the inappropriate use of legal drugs.

Introduced: September 11, 1998 See on congress.gov
Health Administrative procedureAgriculture and FoodAlcohol and youthAlcoholism
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Alcoholism treatmentAutomobile insuranceBusiness and social problemsCommerceCommunity and schoolCommunity organizationCongressCongressional districtsCongressional reporting requirementsContinuing educationCorrectional institutionsCorrectional personnelCost effectivenessCrime and Law EnforcementData banksDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of JusticeDriver licensesDriver testsDrug abuseDrug abuse counselingDrug abuse preventionDrug abuse treatmentDrug addictionDrug approvalsDrug industryDrug legalizationDrug policyDrug testingDrug therapyDrug trafficDrugsDrugs and crimeDrugs and employmentDrugs and youthDrunk drivingEconomics and Public FinanceEducationElementary and secondary educationElementary schoolsEmployee assistance programsEmployee trainingEvaluation research (Social action programs)Executive Office of the PresidentExecutive reorganizationFamiliesFederal advisory bodiesFederal aid to law enforcementFederal aid to substance abuse programsFederal aid to transportationFederal officialsFinance and Financial SectorGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment and businessGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityGovernment trust fundsHigh schoolsHigher educationInsurance companiesInsurance premiumsInsurance ratesIntellectual propertyJudgesLabor and EmploymentLarcenyLawMedical educationMembers of Congress (House)Nonprofit organizationsParent and childParent-school relationshipsPatent infringementPatentsPolice trainingPolicy sciencesPoorPrisonersProductivity in governmentPublic prosecutorsPublic service advertisingRecidivistsRehabilitation of criminalsReligionSchool securityScience, Technology, CommunicationsSecondary educationSmall businessSmoking and youthSocial WelfareState lawsTax-exempt organizationsTaxationTobaccoTransportation and Public WorksUrban affairsVocational and technical educationWorkers' compensation
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 27 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 21, 1998
See H.R.4328.
Sep 17, 1998
Received in the Senate.
Sep 16, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 16, 1998
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4550.
Sep 16, 1998
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 396 - 9 (Roll No. 444).
Sep 16, 1998
The House adopted the remaining amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Sep 16, 1998
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 16, 1998
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4550.
Sep 16, 1998
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business of the Committee was the postponed recorded vote on the Taylor of Mississippi amendment debated earlier.
Sep 16, 1998
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the completion of debate the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment by voice vote and announced that that ayes had prevailed. Mr. Barrett of Wisconsin demanded a recorded vote pending the absence of a quorum. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 538, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Sep 16, 1998
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Sep 16, 1998
The Speaker designated the Honorable Scott McInnis to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Sep 16, 1998
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 538 and Rule XXIII.
Sep 16, 1998
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4550 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule for a period not to exceed three hours. Before consideration of any other amendment it shall be in order to consider the amendment printed in House Report 105-721, the report of the Committee on Rule accompanying the resolution if offered by a Member designated in the report. After disposition of the amendment, the provisions of the bill as then perfected shall be considered as original test for futher amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whethe...
Sep 16, 1998
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 538. (consideration: CR H7863-7888)
Sep 16, 1998
Rule H. Res. 538 passed House.
Sep 15, 1998
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 538 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4550 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule for a period not to exceed three hours. Before consideration of any other amendment it shall be in order to consider the amendment printed in House Report 105-721, the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution if offered by a Member designated in the report. After disposition of the amendment, the provisions of the bill as then perfected shall be considered as original test for futher amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whethe...
Sep 15, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice.
Sep 14, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Education and the Workforce
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Judiciary
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Small Business
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Government Reform
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 11, 1998
Referred to House Commerce
Sep 11, 1998
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 16, 1998 House · vote #444 On Passage Passed 396–9 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 9

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

5 agreed to 1 failed 1 with no recorded outcome 2 withdrawn or other

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 899 – An amendment to specify that members of the Commission on Role of Medical Education in Reducing Substance Abu… Agreed to Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 898 – An amendment numbered 1 and printed in the Congressional Record to specify that any person who manufactures o… No recorded outcome Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 897 – An amendment to include alcohol abuse in the national media campaign by the Director of the Office of Nationa… Withdrawn Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 896 – An amendment numbered 2 and printed in the Congressional Record to require parity in the application of treat… Withdrawn Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 895 – An amendment to require that each individual appointed to an employment position with the Federal Government … Failed Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 894 – An amendment to specify that quality rating, criteria, quality program designation, and public notification d… Agreed to Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 893 – An amendment to specify that any drug-free workplace demonstration program shall include employee drug testin… Agreed to Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 892 – An amendment to increase the drug-free parents empowerment grant amount from $20,000 to $50,000. Agreed to Sep 16, 1998
HAMDT 891 – An amendment to clarify that Employee Assistance Programs may offer treatment; specify that the program for d… Agreed to Sep 16, 1998
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 Latest action October 21, 1998

See H.R.4328.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment

Programs

Subtitle A: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

Subtitle B: Drug-Free Workplace Act

Subtitle C: Drug-Free Teen Drivers

Subtitle D: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails

Subtitle E: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance

Subtitle F: Drug-Free National Clearinghouse

Subtitle G: Drug-Free Parents Empowerment

Title II: Private Sector Anti-Drug Partnerships

Subtitle A: Antiaddiction Medications

Subtitle B: Commission on Role of Medication Education

in Reducing Substance Abuse

Title III: Statement of National Antidrug Policy

Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community

Coalitions

Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs

Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention

and Treatment Efforts

Drug Demand Reduction Act - Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs - Subtitle A: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign - Drug-Free Media Campaign Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to: (1) conduct a national media campaign for the purpose of reducing and preventing drug abuse among young people in the United States; and (2) use appropriated funds for media that focuses on, or that includes specific information on, prevention or treatment resources for consumers within specific local areas.

(Sec. 103) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) authorized and prohibited uses of funds; and (2) matching and reporting requirements.

(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations.

Subtitle B: Drug-Free Workplace Act - Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) businesses should adopt drug-free workplace programs; and (2) States should consider financial incentives, such as reductions in workers' compensation premiums, to encourage businesses to adopt drug-free workplace programs.

(Sec. 114) Amends the Small Business Act to establish a drug-free workplace demonstration program, under which the Small Business Administration may make grants to eligible intermediaries for the purpose of providing financial and technical assistance to small business concerns seeking to start a drug-free workplace program.

Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility for participation and program requirements, including requirements for: (1) employee drug testing by a laboratory certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the College of American Pathologists, with each positive test result reviewed by a Licensed Medical Review Officer; and (2) employee access to an employee assistance program, including treatment. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 115) Amends the Act to require the services to be provided by small business development centers to include providing information and assistance to small business concerns with respect to developing drug-free workplace programs.

(Sec. 116) Authorizes the Small Business Administrator to contract with and compensate Government and private agencies or persons for services related to carrying out this subtitle.

Subtitle C: Drug-Free Teen Drivers - Drug-Free Teenage Drivers Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a model program to provide for the voluntary drug testing of all teenage applicants for a driver's license and, if a State adopting the program so elects, other first time applicants regardless of age. Sets forth minimum program requirements, including: (1) that information about an applicant's choice not to take a drug test or about the result of a test on the applicant be made available to the applicant's automobile insurance company, if any, or the parent of a teenage applicant, or both; and (2) if an applicant tests positive, that the State will not issue a license to the applicant and will require the applicant to complete a State-approved drug treatment program and not test positive in a drug test before reapplying for a license. Authorizes the States to adopt and implement the model program and, if they do so, to provide treatment to low-income individuals who apply for licenses.

(Sec. 123) Requires the Secretary to establish an incentive grant program to assist States in improving their laws relating to controlled substances and driving. Sets forth grant requirements, including provisions regarding the use of grant funds and a formula for determining grant amounts.

(Sec. 124) Directs the Secretary to provide specified technical assistance.

(Sec. 125) Authorizes appropriations.

Subtitle D: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails - Drug-Free Prisons and Jails Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a model substance abuse treatment program for substance-involved offenders by providing financial assistance to grant recipients and evaluating the success of programs conducted pursuant to this subtitle. Limits grant awards and administrative costs.

(Sec. 134) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, review and approval of awards, permissible uses of funds, and evaluation and reporting requirements. Requires the Director to establish minimum criteria for program evaluation.

(Sec. 138) Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.

Subtitle E: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance - Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the chief executive officer of each State or other entity designated to be responsible for education activities to: (1) establish a standard of quality for drug prevention programs implemented in public schools in the State in accordance with specified criteria (including a comparison of the rate of illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs by students enrolled over a specified period, the rate of suspensions or expulsions, program effectiveness, parental and community involvement, and the extent of review of existing community drug prevention programs before implementation); and (2) identify and designate (upon application by a school) any public school that achieves such standard as a quality program school. Sets forth provisions regarding requests for a quality program designation and public notification.

Subtitle F: Drug-Free National Clearinghouse - Drug-Free National Clearinghouse Act of 1998 - Establishes in the Office the Drug-Free National Clearinghouse, which shall: (1) consolidate and assume the drug prevention and drug treatment information clearinghouse roles currently performed by National Drug Control Program agencies; and (2) ensure that such information is effectively disseminated.

(Sec. 163) Requires that the Clearinghouse be headed by a director to be appointed by the Director of the Office. Sets forth the director's duties.

(Sec. 164) Requires each National Drug Control Program agency to cooperate with the Clearinghouse director.

Subtitle G: Drug-Free Parents Empowerment - Drug-Free Parents Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to support the efforts of parent organizations to develop and promote efforts to reduce illegal drug use among children in their communities.

Sets forth requirements for parent organizations to receive grants, application procedures, and a grant amount limitation. Authorizes appropriations.

Title II: Private Sector Anti-Drug Partnerships - Subtitle A: Antiaddiction Medications - Antiaddiction Medication Development Act - Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Attorney General of the United States to provide to the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) a response to specified requests to facilitate the approval for commercial distribution of antiaddiction drugs developed by NIDA. Sets forth provisions regarding the submission of, and responses to, such requests.

(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study to determine whether there is a need to establish particularized incentives for the development of drugs to treat dependence on alcohol or on any controlled substance (qualifying antiaddiction drugs). Sets forth requirements regarding Federal agency collaboration, study elements, and reporting requirements.

Subtitle B: Commission on Role of Medication Education in Reducing Substance Abuse - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Commission on the Role of Medical Education in Reducing Substance Abuse, which shall conduct a study to determine the manner in which programs of initial and continuing medical education can be modified to improve the efforts of health professionals in preventing, diagnosing, and treating substance abuse cases. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Statement of National Antidrug Policy - Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community Coalitions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the individual Members of the House of Representatives should establish community-based anti-drug coalitions in their congressional districts or should actively support such coalitions that already exist.

Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the States and their citizens should reject drug legalization; and (2) every State should make efforts to be drug-free.

Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention and Treatment Efforts - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal Government efforts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the United States are frustrated by the fragmentation of those efforts across multiple departments and agencies; and (2) improvement of those efforts can best be achieved through consolidation and coordination.

Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report evaluating options for increasing the efficacy of Federal drug prevention and treatment programs and activities. Authorizes appropriations.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4550: Drug Demand Reduction Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-4550/
MLA
"H.R. 4550: Drug Demand Reduction Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-4550/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4550, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-4550/.
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[H.R. 4550: Drug Demand Reduction Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-4550/)
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