[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                 ______


                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, welfare reform and the war on drugs go 
hand-in-hand in several instances. As debate unfolds, Congress must 
look to the creativity spawned in communities around the Nation that 
are successful in helping people get off Government assistance and onto 
the payrolls of private businesses. Congress must look to not-for-
profit organizations, such as Drug Free Communities, Inc. of Freeport, 
IL, to help people with drug and/or alcohol addictions make changes in 
their lives and become productive citizens.
  We must have faith in the decisions of our local communities on how 
to deal with welfare. In the town of Freeport, IL, the Freeport 
Township's Community Workfare Program helps people work their way into 
supporting themselves. The program helps pay for a person's rent while 
they work for nonprofit organizations and at the same time look for 
paying jobs. This helps people gain experience and fill a gap of need. 
These people are not on welfare--they are working for a living, trying 
to make themselves and their families better. At the same time, they 
are helping our nonprofit organizations fill their needs.
  While some wish to retreat from the war on drugs, basically 
concluding that America does not have the will to keep off drugs, 
organizations such as Drug Free Communities, Inc. need encouragement to 
organize more programs for students such as the International Drug Free 
Youth Program.
  The International Drug Free Youth Program is a creative, market-
based, program set-up for students to voluntarily submit to drug tests. 
Those who test negative will receive a drug-free card enabling them to 
get discounts among other privileges at local businesses. These actions 
are creative, reasonable responses to the needs within local 
communities and deserve recognition and commendation.
  Mr. Speaker, isn't it time that we look to our private sector for 
more creative responses to general needs? I think it is and will work 
to that end.

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