[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER THAN DRUGS

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, the National Center on Addiction and 
Substance Abuse has released some survey information on teenage drug 
activity that is absolutely shocking.
  The researchers found that by the time a teen reaches the age of 17, 
68 percent of them can buy pot within a day; 62 percent have friends 
who use marijuana; 58 percent have been solicited to buy marijuana; 58 
percent know someone who uses acid, cocaine, or heroin; 40 percent have 
personally witnessed the sale of drugs in their own neighborhood; and 
less than one in three attend a drug-free school.
  Mr. Speaker, this country is losing the war on drugs. We are 
literally losing a generation of children to hopelessness, to shattered 
dreams, and eventually to a loss of their freedom.
  Our children deserve better. Every child should have a strong family, 
a drug-free school, and safe streets. And we must do all we can as 
leaders to make this a reality for all children, before it's too late.
  Mr. Speaker, where is our President on this?

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