[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SET AN EXAMPLE ON DRUG TESTING

  (Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, back in the early 
1980's Ronald Reagan, at my urging, enacted random drug testing on the 
military. At that time over 25 percent of our active military were 
using drugs in one form or another. Once we put random drug testing 
into effect, within 4 years it had dropped from 25 percent down to 4 
percent.
  What is happening in America today is so frightening with 12- and 13-
year-olds using marijuana and a 137-percent increase, 14- and 15-year-
olds now increasing by 200 percent. Something has got to be done.
  On opening day of the next Congress I will introduce a rule change to 
the House which will set the example bringing Members of Congress and 
their staff under random drug testing rules. We need to set the 
example. We need to go back to just say no to our young people so that 
they know it is important.
  I hope my colleagues will support my rule change on January 3, 1997.

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