[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7797-S7798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PULSE CHECK ON AMERICA

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy recently released the latest ``Pulse Check'' on drug use and 
drug abuse in America. The ``Pulse Check'' provides an opportunity to 
see what is happening with drug use in markets across the country. The 
news is not good. Other Senators and I have spoken often on this floor 
at the alarming trend in drug use. We have told the Nation that drug 
use is rising; that drug users are getting younger; and that the drugs 
are getting stronger and more dangerous.
  We are heading down a dangerous road. ``Pulse Check'' does not report 
on trend lines. Instead, it provides a snapshot of what is happening, a 
road sign to what lies ahead. Here is what the most recent ``Pulse 
Check'' shows:
  Heroin is gaining in popularity in many areas of the country. We are 
seeing higher purity and lower prices. The increased purity has allowed 
new users to avoid using needles. The result is increased use and 
popularity. In some areas, cocaine and crack dealers are being 
pressured by their South American distributors to diversify and also 
sell heroin.
  The news on cocaine and crack use is also disturbing. While use 
remains stable throughout most areas of the country, availability 
remains high. Prices are fairly stable throughout the United States. 
Although it is losing some of its appeal in southern California, New 
York, and Colorado, it is gaining in popularity in areas in Texas, 
Delaware, Georgia, and Washington, DC, especially among female drug 
users. This supports recent reports that drug use no longer has a 
gender gap.
  Perhaps the most disturbing news of all, marijuana use is up all 
over, especially among younger users. This is particularly disturbing 
in light of marijuana's role as a gateway drug. As a recent study by 
the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse shows, the earlier someone 
starts using marijuana, the more likely they are to move onto harder, 
more dangerous substances. Perhaps the first sign of this occurring can 
be seen in reports of increasing incidence of marijuana cigarettes 
laced with crack or PCP or even

[[Page S7798]]

embalming fluid. ``Pulse Check'' reports that these marijuana users are 
generally younger and represent the gamut of socioeconomic groups. 
Also, the quality of marijuana is higher than previous years. This 
means a much stronger drug is available today than was available during 
the last drug crisis.
  Besides these three more traditional menaces, methamphetamine use 
continues to rise in the West and Northwest, and is headed toward the 
east coast. It was once considered mainly a biker drug and found mainly 
in the Southwest. Now, Mexican organized crime organizations have moved 
in and are incorporating this new product into their existing networks 
for cocaine and heroin. Meth is a drug which can be injected, inhaled, 
or made into pills. It appeals to wide variety of users. Earlier I 
mentioned that cocaine was losing some of its appeal in southern 
California and Colorado, where it has developed a lowlife reputation. 
``Pulse Check'' reports that in its stead, methamphetamine has moved in 
and has become the new hip drug.
  Even though little of this makes the nightly news, there is an 
alarming story to tell here. Perhaps the only one of these dangerous 
drugs that is getting as much national press coverage that it deserves 
is Rohypnol. As the DEA works toward rescheduling this date rape drug 
into the same category as LSD and heroin, it is becoming increasingly 
prevalent in the Southwest and Mid-Atlantic region. Senator Biden first 
warned us of the coming threat of this powerful sedative. And it is a 
growing problem.
  Other so-called club drugs continue to rise in popularity, as well as 
so-called natural products found in health food stores and mail order 
catalogs. Often these natural products contain ephedrine--one of the 
key components of methamphetamine--and they induce similar effects. 
These drugs are especially popular among younger drug users. They are 
marketed by comparing their effects with those of other street drugs, 
and portraying them as health supplements.
  This is what is happening now. The ``Pulse Check'' gives us a feel of 
where we are at in the fight against illegal drug use. We are still on 
the same downward spiral that we have been on since 1992. Drug use is 
climbing, acceptance is climbing, and all of the associated problems 
and difficulties are climbing.
  The sad part is, this comes after years of declines in drug use. From 
1979 to 1991, drug use fell dramatically. We were winning the fight for 
the future of our children. For some reason, we seem to have hit a 
roadblock in this success. We have moved off this successful road and 
have found an hauntingly familiar course where drug use numbers are 
again headed in the wrong direction.

  Some have said that raising this concern is merely partisanship, 
playing politics. But kids using drugs is not political. Rising 
incidence of drug use is not political. Talking seriously about the 
drug problem in America is not partisan. It is an exercise in 
responsibility. I would welcome the President to come out and say 
``Drugs are bad. Don't do drugs. If someone offers you a joint, if 
someone offers you a snort of cocaine, just say no.'' Unfortunately, 
after a few public remarks on the issue, the President has, once again, 
lapsed into silence. We have had a stealth drug policy. It is clear, 
however, that this approach has simply not worked.
  But let's not mistake criticism for partisanship. Since 1992, teenage 
drug use has surged. Acceptance of drug use by teens has also risen 
dramatically. These are not partisan conclusions. These are the facts. 
Modern music, movies, and even clothing depict drugs as ``hip.'' This 
is a radical change from the eighties when the message was loud and 
consistent: ``Just say no!''
  Here in the Capitol, both sides of the aisle have spoken often on 
this issue. Many have issued the warning that we must change our 
message now. There are 39 million members of the ``baby bust'' 
generation who are beginning to face the choice of whether or not to 
use drugs. They will be faced with the choice of saying no, or trying 
drugs that are more potent and more addicting than what was available 
before. When this generation looks around to see what their leaders are 
saying, we need to be there loud and strong. We have been down this 
road before. And we know what strong leadership can accomplish. From 
1979 to 1992, drug use fell at a fairly steady pace. It was not always 
a smooth ride, but we were headed in the right direction.
  Congress, too, needs to do its part. We cannot be satisfied with 
rhetoric and hearings. I would encourage my colleagues to support the 
drug czar's proposal to reprogram $250 million from the Department of 
Defense to the Office of National Drug Policy, as well as increased 
funding for the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Effort at 
the State Department.
  Madam President, we need to get back on the right track. Congress 
needs to do its part and support funding. In March we started along 
this path with a $3.9 million appropriation to restaff the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy. We should continue by supporting the 
reprogramming of $250 million I just mentioned from DOD to the 
counterdrug effort. And I would hope that the President would join us 
in support and show some leadership by speaking out more on the dangers 
of drugs and drug use.
  In closing, I hope that when the next ``Pulse Check'' on drug use is 
released, I will have some good news to share with my colleagues. 
Unless we change directions, without a change in message, and without a 
show of strong moral leadership, I fear this will not happen.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. COVERDELL addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.

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