[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9978-S9979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL ACT OF 1996

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise in support of a bill, the 
International Narcotics Control Act of 1996, that was introduced 
yesterday. S. 2053 is a long overdue bill and I commend my colleague 
from Iowa for his work on this important legislation. Since 1986, we 
have had on a law requiring the President to certify that foreign 
countries are cooperating in the United States efforts to stop the flow 
of drugs into our borders. This law has not been revised for 10 years 
so it is critical that these important changes are made to ensure an 
effective antinarcotics effort.
  The Foreign Assistance Act mandates that the President deliver to 
Congress a list of countries that have been fully cooperating with the 
United States to stop international drug trafficking as well as those 
that have failed to cooperate by the 1st of March of each year. The 
Department of State details the decision in the International Narcotics 
Control Strategy Report. For those countries that have been 
decertified, sanctions may be imposed, or a waiver can be given.
  But the intent of the original act has been lost. Rather than 
sanctioning countries that are not cooperating with the United States 
to halt the flow of illegal drugs, the process has been stifled with 
other considerations. It is high time for changes to the law.
  Timing could not be better. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration released the preliminary estimates from the 
1995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Let me quote from the 
initial study,

       The percentage of adolescents (12 to 17 years old) using 
     drugs increased between 1994 and 1995 continuing a trend that 
     began in 1993. In 1992, the rate of past month use among 
     youth age 12 to 17 reached a low of 5.3 percent, the result 
     of a decline from 16.3 percent in 1979. By 1994 the rate 
     had climbed back up to 8.2 percent, and in 1995 it 
     increased again to 10.9 percent.

  According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America,

     overall use of all drugs among this age group rose 78 percent 
     between 1992 and 1995, and 33 percent just between 1994 and 
     1995. In particular marijuana use among young people is up 
     105 percent since 1992, and 37 percent between 1994 and 1995. 
     Monthly use of LSD and other hallucinogens is up 183 percent 
     since 1992, and rose 54 percent between 1994 and 1995. 
     Monthly use of cocaine rose 166 percent between 1994 and 
     1995.

  It is clear that the number of teenagers using illicit drugs is 
rising--and that is unacceptable. After decades of working on reducing 
drug use, our young people are believing that it is OK to use drugs. 
The media, and even the administration, are sending signals that a 
little drug use is OK. It is not. The wrong message has been sent and 
it is time to change that. Teenagers must learn the harmful, even 
deadly, effects of illegal drug use.
  The availability of illegal drugs must be curtailed. The best way to 
diminish accessibility is to stop drugs from crossing our borders. This 
bill would accomplish that goal.
  International drug trafficking can only be halted with the full 
cooperation of a drug-producing or drug-transit country. It is 
imperative then, that foreign countries assist in the interdiction and 
prosecution of those responsible. We should expect this from our 
allies.
  The provisions in the International Narcotics Control Act are 
comprehensive and tough. If a drug-producing or drug-transit country 
has failed to cooperate with the United States for 3 consecutive years, 
then sanctions must be applied. Decertification will no longer be a 
meaningless label to these countries.

[[Page S9979]]

  The trade sanctions are particularly important to stopping the 
international drug trade. Trade sanctions will force the foreign 
country to sit up and take notice. Far too often, traffickers use 
legitimate commercial trade to smuggle illicit drugs into this country.
  In addition, the administration has been less than forthcoming. 
Additional reporting requirements and notices to Congress will ensure 
that the American people are receiving prompt and accurate information.
  I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on this measure and 
urge my colleagues to support this bill's immediate passage. The 
communities that are fighting the war on drugs--and our children--
deserve nothing less.

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