Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to direct the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth. Requires grants to be made to coalitions of representatives of youth, parents, businesses, the media, schools, youth organizations, law enforcement, religious or fraternal organizations, civic groups, health care professionals, State, local, or tribal governmental agencies, and other organizations.

Requires the Director, in carrying out the Program, to: (1) make and track grants to grant recipients; (2) provide for technical assistance and training, data collection and dissemination of information on state-of-the-art practices that the Director determines to be effective in reducing substance abuse; and (3) provide for the general administration of the Program. Directs the Director to enter into contracts with national drug control agencies, including interagency agreements to delegate authority for the execution of grants and to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002.

Sets forth specified criteria a coalition shall meet to be eligible to receive an initial or a renewal grant. Prescribes limitations concerning: (1) grant amounts; (2) coalition awards; and (3) rural coalition grants.

Grants the Program Administrator general auditing and data collection authority. Requires the minimization of reporting requirements by grant recipients.

Authorizes the Administrator, with respect to any grant recipient or other organization, to: (1) offer technical assistance and training and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements; and (2) facilitate the coordination of programs between a grant recipient and other organizations, and entities. Authorizes the Administrator to provide training to any representative designated by a grant recipient in: (1) coalition building; (2) task force development; (3) mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment and evaluation; or (4) any other activity related to the purposes of the Program.

Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Director concerning activities carried out under the Program. Sets forth the duties of the Advisory Commission. Terminates the Advisory Commission at the end of FY 2002.

Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to direct the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth (referred to hereafter as the Program). Requires the Director, in carrying out the Program, to: (1) make and track grants to grant recipients; (2) provide for technical assistance and training, data collection and dissemination of information on state-of-the-art practices that the Director determines to be effective in reducing substance abuse; and (3) provide for the general administration of the Program. Directs the Director to employ any necessary staff and enter into contracts or agreements with national drug control agencies, including interagency agreements to delegate authority for the execution of grants and for such other activities necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes separate appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002.

Sets forth specified criteria a coalition shall meet to be eligible to receive an initial or a renewal grant. Prescribes limitations concerning: (1) grant amounts; (2) coalition awards; and (3) rural coalition grants.

Requires that the Administrator of the Program shall: (1) for the purpose of audit and examination, have access to any books, documents, and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant renewal request and may periodically request information from a grant recipient to ensure that the grant recipient meets the applicable criteria; (2) issue a request for proposals regarding the application process, grant renewal, and suspension or withholding of renewal grants; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with applicable law, minimize reporting requirements by a grant recipient and expedite any application for a renewal grant.

Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) collect data from national substance abuse organizations that work with eligible coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions, departments or agencies of the Federal Government, or State or local governments and the governing bodies of Indian tribes, and any other entity or organization that carries out activities that relate to the purposes of the Program; and (2) evaluate the utility of specific initiatives relating to the purposes of the Program, conduct an evaluation of the Program, and disseminate specified information to eligible coalitions, other substance abuse organizations, and the public.

Authorizes the Administrator, with respect to any grant recipient or other organization, to: (1) offer technical assistance and training and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements; and (2) facilitate the coordination of programs between a grant recipient and other organizations, and entities. Authorizes the Administrator to provide training to any representative designated by a grant recipient in: (1) coalition building; (2) task force development; (3) mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment and evaluation; or (4) any other activity related to the purposes of the Program.

Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities (Advisory Commission) to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Director concerning matters related to the activities carried out under the Program. Sets forth the duties of the Advisory Commission. Requires that if the Director rejects any recommendation of the Advisory Commission, the Director shall notify the Advisory Commission in writing of the reasons for the rejection not later than 15 days after receiving the recommendation.

Terminates the Advisory Commission at the end of FY 2002.

Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to direct Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth (referred hereafter as the Program). Requires that the Program shall include grant making and tracking, technical assistance and training, data collection and dissemination on state-of-the-art practices which have proven effective in reducing substance abuse, and general administration. Authorizes appropriations.

Sets forth specified criteria a coalition shall meet to be eligible to receive a grant. Prescribes limitations concerning: (1) grant amounts; (2) coalition awards; and (3) rural coalition grants.

Requires the Administrator of the Program to: (1) have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant renewal request and may periodically request information from a grantee to ensure that the criteria set forth are being met; (2) issue rules and regulations regarding the application process, grant renewal, and suspension or withholding of any renewal grant awards; and (3) make every effort, consistent with existing law, to minimize reporting requirements by a grantee and to expedite any grant renewal requests. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) collect data from national substance abuse organizations working with coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions, departments or agencies of Federal, State and local or tribal governments and any other entity or organization whose activities relate to the purposes of the Program, and evaluate the utility of specific initiatives, engage in research and development activities related to the Program, and disseminate such information to eligible coalitions, any other substance abuse organization, or the public; and (2) offer technical assistance and training, enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, coordinate programs with any grantee or other organization, and train any representatives designated by a grantee in coalition building, task force development, mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment and evaluation or any other activity related to the purposes of the Program.

Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities (Advisory Commission) to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Administrator concerning matters related to the activities carried out under the Program. Sets forth the duties of the Advisory Commission. Requires that if the Administrator rejects recommendations of the Advisory Commission, the Administrator shall notify the Advisory Commission and the Director in writing of the reasons for so doing not later than 15 days after receiving such recommendations.

Terminates the Advisory Commission five years after enactment of this Act.