[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE DRUG EPIDEMIC

  Mr. COVERDELL. Today we are going to talk about another war, and that 
is the domestic war that is infecting millions upon millions of 
Americans--primarily teenagers--as we deal with yet a new drug epidemic 
in the United States. And ``epidemic'' is the right word. It is hard to 
believe that we are in the midst of one. And we hope that the next hour 
and a half will be in part a wake-up call to Americans across our land 
that all of us have to be engaged in--putting the question mark in the 
mind of every teenager as to the effect on their lives of abuse of 
drugs. All I can say is, even if they ultimately recuperate from it, 
that their lives will be unalterably and forever changed.
  With that, Mr. President, I yield to the distinguished Senator from 
Texas for up to 10 minutes on this issue. I know he wants to say a word 
or two about Iraq as well.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
  Mr. GRAMM. Mr. President, let me thank our dear colleague from 
Georgia.

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