---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 290bb–21"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "290bb–21"
heading: "Center for Substance Abuse Prevention"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/290bb-21"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter III–A — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration"
  - "Part B — Centers and Programs"
  - "Subpart 2 — center for substance abuse prevention"
---

# §290bb–21. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

- (a) **Establishment; Director—** There is established in the Administration a Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (hereafter referred to in this part as the “Prevention Center”). The Prevention Center shall be headed by a [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) from individuals with extensive experience or academic qualifications in the prevention of [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) or alcohol abuse.
- (b) **Duties of Director—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Prevention Center shall—
  - (1) sponsor regional workshops on the prevention of [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) and alcohol abuse through the reduction of risk and the promotion of resiliency;
  - (2) coordinate the findings of research sponsored by [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the [Service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) on the prevention of [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) and alcohol abuse;
  - (3) collaborate with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the National Institute on [Drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) Abuse, the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) to promote the study of substance abuse prevention and the dissemination and implementation of research findings that will improve the delivery and effectiveness of substance abuse prevention activities;
  - (4) develop effective [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) and alcohol abuse prevention literature (including educational information on the effects of [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) abused by individuals, including [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) that are emerging as abused [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4));
  - (5) in cooperation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Education, assure the widespread dissemination of prevention materials among [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), political subdivisions, and [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) systems;
  - (6) support clinical training [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for health professionals who provide substance use and misuse prevention and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and other health professionals involved in [illicit](/usc/42/11851.md?p=6) [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) use education and prevention;
  - (7) in cooperation with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, develop and disseminate educational materials to increase awareness for individuals at greatest risk for substance use disorders to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases;
  - (8) conduct training, technical assistance, data collection, and evaluation activities of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) supported under the [Drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) Free [Schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and Communities Act of 1986;
  - (9) support the development of model, innovative, community-based [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that reduce the risk of alcohol and [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) abuse among young people and promote resiliency;
  - (10) collaborate with the Attorney General of the Department of Justice to develop [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to prevent [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) abuse among high risk youth;
  - (11) prepare for distribution documentary films and public [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) announcements for television and radio to educate the public, especially [adolescent](/usc/42/300z–1.md?p=a-9) audiences, concerning the dangers to health resulting from the consumption of alcohol and [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) and, to the extent feasible, use appropriate private organizations and business concerns in the preparation of such announcements;
  - (12) develop and support innovative demonstration [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) designed to identify and deter the improper use or abuse of anabolic steroids by students, especially students in secondary [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6);
  - (13) ensure the consistent documentation of the application of criteria when awarding grants and the ongoing oversight of grantees after such grants are awarded;
  - (14) assist and support [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) in preventing [illicit](/usc/42/11851.md?p=6) [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) use, including emerging [illicit](/usc/42/11851.md?p=6) [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) use issues; and
  - (15) in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in collaboration with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, develop educational materials for clinicians to use with pregnant women for shared decision making regarding pain management and the prevention of substance use disorders during pregnancy.
- (c) **Grants, contracts and cooperative agreements—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) may make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements in carrying out [subsection (b)](#b).
- (d) **National data base—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Prevention Center shall establish a national data base providing information on [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for the prevention of substance abuse. The data base shall contain information appropriate for use by public entities and information appropriate for use by [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title V, § 515, formerly § 508, as added Pub. L. 99–570, title IV, § 4005(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–111; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title II, § 2051(a)–(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4206; Pub. L. 101–93, § 3(a), Aug. 16, 1989, 103 Stat. 609; Pub. L. 101–647, title XIX, § 1906, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4854; renumbered § 515 and amended Pub. L. 102–321, title I, § 113(b)–(e), July 10, 1992, 106 Stat. 345; Pub. L. 102–531, title III, § 312(d)(10), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3505; Pub. L. 106–310, div. B, title XXXI, § 3112(b), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title VI, § 6007(b), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1212; Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7063(a), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4020.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(8), means title V of Pub. L. 89–10 as added by Pub. L. 100–297, title I, § 1001, Apr. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 252, which was classified generally to subchapter V (§ 3171 et seq.) of chapter 47 of Title 20, Education, prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3519.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 290aa–6 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 102–321.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 515 of act July 1, 1944, was classified to section 290cc of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–321, title I, § 123(c), July 10, 1992, 106 Stat. 363.

Another prior section 515 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to section 229d of this title, was successively renumbered by subsequent acts and transferred, see section 238l of this title.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(15). Pub. L. 115–271 added par. (15).

2016—Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(1), substituted “Center” for “Office” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(2), substituted “a Center” for “an Office” and “The Prevention Center” for “The Office”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(A), inserted “through the reduction of risk and the promotion of resiliency” before semicolon.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(C), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), (D), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted “educational information on the effects of drugs abused by individuals, including drugs that are emerging as abused drugs” for “literature on the adverse effects of cocaine free base (known as ‘crack’)”. Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), (E), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and substituted “health professionals who provide substance use and misuse prevention and treatment services” for “substance abuse counselors” and “illicit drug use education and prevention” for “drug abuse education, prevention,”. Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), (F), redesignated par. (6) as (7) and amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: “in cooperation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, develop educational materials to reduce the risks of acquired immune deficiency syndrome among intravenous drug abusers;”. Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), redesignated par. (7) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), (G), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and substituted “that reduce the risk of” for “to discourage” and inserted “and promote resiliency” before semicolon. Former par. (9) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (b)(10) to (12). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(B), redesignated pars. (9) to (11) as (10) to (12), respectively.

Subsec. (b)(13), (14). Pub. L. 114–255, § 6007(b)(3)(H)–(J), added pars. (13) and (14).

2000—Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3112(b)(2), added par. (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3112(b)(1), (3), redesignated par. (9) as (10) and substituted “educate the public, especially adolescent audiences, concerning” for “educate the public concerning”. Former par. (10) redesignated (11).

Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3112(b)(1), redesignated par. (10) as (11).

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(e)(1), substituted “(hereafter referred to in this part as the ‘Prevention Center’)” for “(hereafter in this part referred to as the ‘Office’)”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(e)(2), substituted “Prevention Center” for “Office” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(c)(1), struck out “and intervention” after “prevention,”.

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 102–531, which directed the amendment of “section 508(b)(6) (42 U.S.C. 290aa–6(b)(6))” of act July 1, 1944, by substituting “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” for “Centers for Disease Control”, was executed to subsec. (b)(6) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening renumbering of section 508 of act July 1, 1944, as section 515 of that act by Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(b)(2).

Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(c)(4), inserted “and” after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (b)(10) to (12). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(c)(2)–(4), redesignated par. (12) as (10) and struck out former pars. (10) and (11) which read as follows:

“(10)(A) provide assistance to communities to develop comprehensive long-term strategies for the prevention of substance abuse; and

“(B) evaluate the success of different community approaches toward the prevention of substance abuse;

“(11) through schools of health professions, schools of allied health professions, schools of nursing, and schools of social work, carry out programs—

“(A) to train individuals in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse; and

“(B) to develop appropriate curricula and materials for the training described in subparagraph (A); and”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–321, § 113(d), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows:

“(1) For the purpose of carrying out this section and sections 290aa–7, 290aa–8, and 290aa–13 of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated $95,000,000 for fiscal year 1989 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1990 and 1991.

“(2) Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available not less than $5,000,000 to carry out paragraphs (5) and (11) of subsection (b) of this section.”

1990—Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 101–647 added par. (12).

1989—Subsec. (b)(11)(B). Pub. L. 101–93, § 3(a)(2), substituted “subparagraph (A)” for “subparagraph (a)”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 101–93, § 3(a)(1), inserted a comma after “290aa–13 of this title”.

1988—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 100–690, § 2051(b)(1), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “support programs of clinical training of substance abuse counselors and other health professionals;”.

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 100–690, § 2051(b)(2) added par. (10).

Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 100–690, § 2051(c), added par. (11).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–690, § 2051(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “Of the amounts available under the second sentence of section 300y(a) of this title to carry out this section and section 290aa–8 of this title, $20,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 290aa–8 of this title.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–321 effective Oct. 1, 1992, with provision for programs providing financial assistance, see section 801(c), (d) of Pub. L. 102–321, set out as a note under section 236 of this title.