[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1474-E1475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL GUARD'S ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the illegal production, transportation, sale 
and use of drugs has caused widespread concern both in domestic and 
international circles. Unfortunately, illicit drugs are a lucrative 
business, with the total volume of drug trading estimated by some at 
many billions each and every year. Indeed, according to data released 
by the National Guard, the retail value of illegal drugs may now exceed 
international trade in oil, and is second only to the arms trade. The 
complex problems arising from drug abuse cannot be underestimated, and 
we need all of our government entities to unite in fighting this 
scourge.
  The National Guard Bureau's Counterdrug Directorate is one entity 
that has done excellent work in combatting the spread of illicit 
substances in our schools and on the streets. Its citizen soldiers in 
our local communities, play a key role in support of local law 
enforcement, and local community action to battle illicit drugs and 
drug abuse, especially by our young.
  The National Guard's supportive role is essential. They provide 
direct support to local and Federal law enforcement agencies, along 
with drug reduction activities in our schools, and in over 3,700 
communities in the United States.
  The National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Directorate serves to provide 
world-class counterdrug support to local, State, and Federal drug law 
enforcement agencies. Their expertise in the field of counter drug 
production, smuggling, and sale is being increasingly relied upon, not 
only by domestic agencies, but also by international law enforcement 
agencies as well.
  Perhaps the National Guard's success lies in the premise that the 
Bureau permits civilian citizen soldiers to take a proactive role in 
confronting one of our greatest social problems, and thus contributing 
toward the quality of life in their local communities, and in our 
society overall.
  The National Interagency Counterdrug Institute [NICI] is just a small 
example of the efforts made by the National Guard to train military 
organizations, civilian agencies, and community organizations in 
coordinated, and effective counter drug efforts. The goal is to improve 
the efficiency of support for civil authorities, and the National Guard 
has proven itself to be more than equal to this important challenge.
  Indeed, the National Guard also provides critical, technical, and 
general support to law enforcement agencies, such as intelligence 
analysis, engineering support, language assistance, and cargo 
inspection. Their function does not end there, for the Guard will 
assist with aerial reconnaissance, and drug education efforts as well.
  My own bill--H.R. 3524--introduced on May 23, 1996, would expand the 
role of the National Guard in helping the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service [INS] to efficiently and economically transport 
for eventual deportation, those criminal aliens who have violated a

[[Page E1475]]

Federal or State law prohibiting or regulating illegal substances. In 
instances such as these, the National Guard must be legally authorized 
by Congress when the desire arises, to fly these convicted illegal 
immigrants, linked to drugs, to Federal deportation centers for the 
processing out of our Nation. My bill will allow the National Guard to 
complete this necessary and essential job, and thus expediting the 
process of ridding our society of those who engage in the trade or 
promotion of illicit drugs, which threaten our communities and future 
generations.

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