[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IT IS TIME TO STOP THE FLOW OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______


                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will authorize the imposition of trade sanctions on countries which 
threaten the health and safety of U.S. citizens by failing to cooperate 
fully with the United States regarding the reduction and interdiction 
of illicit drugs.
  The United States has been saturated by a flood of illegal drugs 
which has resulted in our national security being seriously threatened. 
Startling new statistics reflect a resurgent drug crisis and a sharp 
increase in the use of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, LSD, and 
marijuana by our children--usually between the ages of 12 and 17. We 
have attempted to fight the drug war by creating joint Federal-State-
local task forces and with the Department of Justice's Weed and Seed 
sites, and by passing strict sentencing laws for drug traffickers.
  Now it is clear, however, that we must not only have a tough domestic 
drug policy, such as by enforcing minimum mandatory sentences for drug 
traffickers, we must also take our fight across our borders into other 
countries. We need to send a strong signal to all foreign governments 
that we are serious about our war on drugs.
  Despite the increase of drug use this past year, the administration 
continues to grant significant trade benefits to countries whose 
governments have failed to cooperate with the United States in drug 
interdiction efforts. Clearly, Members of Congress must now assume this 
responsibility and ban together to protect our country and children 
from these drugs.
  My bill authorizes the imposition of trade sanctions on countries 
that fail to cooperate fully with us to stop the flow of illicit drugs. 
Reducing U.S. trade benefits will make foreign governments that 
willingly allow these drugs to end up on American streets and in 
American schools to think twice before they look the other way while 
drug kingpins in their country cultivate and or transport cocaine right 
before their eyes.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation and send 
a strong message to foreign countries that the United States is serious 
about halting the flow of illicit drugs.

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