This report presents results of an audit of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program.
This audit, which studied the implementation of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), found that although BJA took steps to assist recipients in overcoming challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, BJA can do more to improve its oversight of COSSAP as recipients continue to navigate the challenges and setbacks caused by the pandemic. The audit also determined that during fiscal year (FY) 2020, BJA made COSSAP funding decisions that penalized one applicant’s perceived support for the “defund the police” movement in a manner that was inconsistent with how BJA handled other COSSAP applications and inconsistent with federal regulations. The audit also found that BJA can improve its coordination and collaboration with COSSAP partners and stakeholders. The authors make five recommendations to OJP to strengthen BJA’s oversight and management of COSSAP. The audit objectives were to determine whether the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA): (1) accomplished the objectives of COSSAP, (2) implemented adequate oversight and management of COSSAP, and (3) effectively coordinated, and collaborated with COSSAP partners and stakeholders.