Johnson proposes new $50M annual grant program to fight alcohol-related offenses

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) on June 23 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would expand the success of 24/7 sobriety programs nationwide by creating and authorizing a $50 million annual grant program for five years within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility (SOBER) Act, H.R. 8209, also would provide data from grantees and a report from the National Institute of Justice assessing the impact of 24/7 sobriety programs on violence, crime, recidivism, and incarceration rates, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Johnson’s office.

H.R. 8209, which has five original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Luis Correa (D-CA), is focused on combating repeat alcohol-related criminal offenses by expanding nationwide the 24/7 sobriety programs first implemented in South Dakota in 2005.

“South Dakota has been a strong leader on combating alcohol-related offenses for years — it’s time to take this successful program national — that’s what the SOBER Act does,” said Rep. Johnson. “If we can invest in the root cause of the issue, our state, local, and federal government will not only save money in the long run, we will save lives.”

Byron Nogelmeier, South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Program State Coordinator, and Jeri Williams, chief of the Phoenix Police Department and president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, endorsed the measure.

“I’m grateful to local law enforcement for staying engaged and innovative on this important issue that plagues so many communities,” said Rep. Johnson last week.