[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, the recent increase in drug use among young 
people is a national tragedy. Studies have shown, both nationally and 
in my home State of Michigan, that drug use among young people has 
risen steadily over the past 5 years. Since 1991, marijuana use has 
almost doubled in all age groups. And there has been a dramatic 
increase in the use of alcohol and tobacco, the precursors to trying 
other more dangerous drugs.
  There are faces behind these numbers. In recent months, I have spent 
time with high school students throughout my district. What I found was 
alarming. It leads me to believe that the statistics may underestimate 
the challenge we face. Many students I spoke with had no real 
perception of the risks and dangers associated with drug and substance 
abuse. In one school, the very first question I was asked was about, 
and the main preoccupation appeared to be the legalization of drugs. In 
another instance, young women in the audience were indifferent toward 
the addictiveness of tobacco products and their effect during 
pregnancy, or on long-term health. It was clear to me from these and 
other discussions that there was a lack of adequate frank discussion of 
these issues, either at home or at school.
  Today, we are introducing the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, to 
help support community-based coalitions in the fight against teenage 
drug use. Community-based coalitions in my district in Michigan have 
successfully reduced substance abuse and related crimes in targeted 
areas. This bill would support communities undertaking similar local 
initiatives in their own neighborhoods.
  The idea is simple. Bring together all segments of the community--
parents, students, teachers, police officers, clergy, health care 
providers, government officials, and others--to develop a community-
wide strategy to combat drug and substance abuse.
  The community-based approach makes sense because drugs do not just 
impact the people who abuse them. Drugs harm entire communities by 
threatening our work force, our health and economic security, and our 
values. These coalitions are homegrown, and empower local communities 
to solve their own problems. They reduce duplicative efforts and better 
focus limited resources. Coalitions foster partnership between the 
public and private sector, and can draw upon a variety of financial 
resources.
  In the district I represent, this community-based approach has 
yielded concrete results. It has brought a sense of community back into 
our neighborhoods. It empowers neighborhoods to improve their own lives 
through increased community interaction, awareness, and activity.
  In the spring of 1995, the Troy Community Coalition targeted drug use 
and related crimes in one apartment complex through the Neighbor-by-
Neighbor Program. Since this initiative began, marijuana use and 
possession is down 50 percent in targeted areas. Assault and battery is 
down 15.4 percent. Vandalism is down 50 percent. Child abuse is down 50 
percent.
  Neighborhood awareness has also improved. The Troy Police Department 
reports that local citizens are much more likely to report suspicious 
activities in their neighborhoods. Suspicious incident reports are up 
an astonishing 250 percent.
  Our communities have instituted a policy of zero tolerance toward 
youth substance abuse, whether it be smoking a cigarette, drinking a 
beer, or abusing illegal drugs. The law enforcement community and the 
court system are working hand-in-hand to make sure that juveniles who 
abuse alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs are punished.
  This ``zero tolerance'' approach involves every member of the 
community, not just the police and the courts. School officials, 
parents, and other community leaders help to identify repeat offenders 
early on, and correct unacceptable behavior before it becomes a 
problem.
  This legislation builds upon an approach which has already been shown 
to work. Community antidrug coalitions have yielded dramatic results in 
Michigan, and in other communities across the country. I am proud that 
I have the opportunity to join with my colleagues, Mr. Portman, Mr. 
Rangel, and Mr. Hastert, to introduce this important piece of antidrug 
legislation.

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