[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3314-S3315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES ACT OF 1997

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, last week I introduced the Drug-Free 
Communities Act of 1997. This bill, which is

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strongly supported by Members from both sides of the aisle, rechannels 
existing Federal drug control resources into community, antidrug 
efforts that are already reducing teenage drug abuse in our towns.
  We must act now on this issue, because teenage drug abuse is one of 
the worst problems in America today. Drug abuse encourages crime and 
gang violence, as well as higher rates of teenage pregnancy, and other 
social problems. Many of our schools are under siege from the onslaught 
of drugs.
  What's more, teenage drug abuse is getting worse. After more than a 
decade of substantial progress in combating the problem, the trends 
have reversed since 1991. Marijuana use alone has tripled among 8th 
graders and more than doubled among 10th and 12th graders. Daily use 
has increased so dramatically during this period that one in 20 of 
today's high school seniors uses marijuana daily. And, the marijuana of 
today--because of the chemical THC content--can be 15 times stronger 
than the marijuana of the 1970's. Cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamine 
stimulants, barbiturates, and heroin are increasingly popular among 
teenagers. The use of LSD has never been higher.
  These nationwide statistics are extremely troubling. But, the 
problems of teenage drug abuse are experienced most vividly in each of 
our towns and communities. Our sons and daughters face this threat 
every day in school and on the playground. We need to target our drug 
reduction efforts to help these teenagers in their own communities. 
That is why we are introducing the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997.
  With little or no Federal funds, many local anti-drug coalitions are 
already helping some teenagers in their communities. This legislation 
targets assistance to these coalitions, so that they can reach out to 
and help more teenagers. In order to receive Federal support, a 
community must first demonstrate a comprehensive, long-term commitment 
to addressing teenage drug abuse. This commitment must include a 
focused mission, the implementation of strategies to reduce drug abuse, 
and the involvement of all parts of the community--including parents, 
youth, businesses, media, schools, law enforcement, religious leaders, 
and others. Moreover, a community must demonstrate that its antidrug 
effort is an on-going concern that has local support and is self-
sustaining.
  I also support the Drug-Free Communities Act because it is fiscally 
responsible. It does not increase Federal spending or the deficit. 
Instead, it simply rechannels existing funds from the $16 billion 
Federal drug control budget. Even more importantly, the bill requires a 
financial commitment from the communities involved. Under the bill, the 
Federal Government will not simply grant money to local communities 
that meet the criteria that I just mentioned. The qualifying 
communities must match the Government's funds with resources of their 
own--up to a cap of $100,000. These matching grants will force the 
communities to demonstrate an even greater commitment to fighting drug 
abuse before receiving Federal funds.
  Finally, the legislation creates an Advisory Commission to oversee 
the antidrug program. This commission will consist of local community 
leaders and national and State experts on substance abuse. This 
composition ensures that the program draws upon national expertise in 
fighting drug abuse, while remaining responsive to local needs.
  The Drug-Free Communities Act has attracted the support of more than 
150 State and local law enforcement groups, churches, and other 
organizations. On the national level, it has been endorsed by groups as 
diverse as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and William Bennett's Empower 
America. This bill represents a wonderful opportunity to provide 
meaningful help to community coalitions in South Dakota and nationwide, 
without expending additional Federal funds.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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