[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CLINTON'S WAR ON DRUGS A FAILURE

  (Mrs. SEASTRAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SEASTRAND. Mr. Speaker, a month after taking office, President 
Clinton eliminated 83 percent of the staff at the Office of National 
Drug Policy. Now, in an apparent campaign year move, the President 
announced he is doing a complete about-face and will increase staff in 
that office.
  Even though he is 3 years late, I'm glad the President has finally 
recognized the importance of a strong national drug office. But let us 
look at what has happened in the years that the President sat on the 
sidelines and watched the drug world go by.
  Drug use among teens has skyrocketed. According to the household 
survey on drug use, marijuana use by 12- to 17-year-olds has gone from 
1.6 million in 1992 to 2.9 million in 1994. The survey also found a 
137-percent increase in marijuana use among 12- to 13-year-olds.
  Mr. Speaker, actions speak louder than words. President Clinton may 
be saying a lot now that he is on the campaign trail, but his actions 
show he has failed in the war on drugs.

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