[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3176-H3187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES ACT OF 1997
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 956) to amend the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988
to establish a program to support and encourage local communities that
first demonstrate a comprehensive, long-term commitment to reduce
substance abuse among youth, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 956
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drug-Free Communities Act of
1997''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The National Narcotics Leadership Act of
1988 (21 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by inserting between sections 1001 and 1002 the
following:
``CHAPTER 1--OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 2--DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES
``SEC. 1021. FINDINGS.
``Congress finds the following:
``(1) Substance abuse among youth has more than doubled in
the 5-year period preceding 1996, with substantial increases
in the use of marijuana, inhalants, cocaine, methamphetamine,
LSD, and heroin.
``(2) The most dramatic increases in substance abuse has
occurred among 13- and 14-year-olds.
``(3) Casual or periodic substance abuse by youth today
will contribute to hard core or chronic substance abuse by
the next generation of adults.
``(4) Substance abuse is at the core of other problems,
such as rising violent teenage and violent gang crime,
increasing health care costs, HIV infections, teenage
pregnancy, high school dropouts, and lower economic
productivity.
``(5) Increases in substance abuse among youth are due in
large part to an erosion of understanding by youth of the
high risks associated with substance abuse, and to the
softening of peer norms against use.
``(6)(A) Substance abuse is a preventable behavior and a
treatable disease; and
``(B)(i) during the 13-year period beginning with 1979,
monthly use of illegal drugs among youth 12 to 17 years of
age declined by over 70 percent; and
``(ii) data suggests that if parents would simply talk to
their children regularly about the dangers of substance
abuse, use among youth could be expected to decline by as
much as 30 percent.
``(7) Community anti-drug coalitions throughout the United
States are successfully developing and implementing
comprehensive, long-term strategies to reduce substance abuse
among youth on a sustained basis.
``(8) Intergovernmental cooperation and coordination
through national, State, and local or tribal leadership and
partnerships are critical to facilitate the reduction of
substance abuse among youth in communities throughout the
United States.
``SEC. 1022. PURPOSES.
``The purposes of this chapter are--
``(1) to reduce substance abuse among youth in communities
throughout the United States, and over time, to reduce
substance abuse among adults;
``(2) to strengthen collaboration among communities, the
Federal Government, and State, local, and tribal governments;
``(3) to enhance intergovernmental cooperation and
coordination on the issue of substance abuse among youth;
``(4) to serve as a catalyst for increased citizen
participation and greater collaboration among all sectors and
organizations of a community that first demonstrates a long-
term commitment to reducing substance abuse among youth;
``(5) to rechannel resources from the fiscal year 1998
Federal drug control budget to provide technical assistance,
guidance, and financial support to communities that
demonstrate a long-term commitment in reducing substance
abuse among youth;
``(6) to disseminate to communities timely information
regarding the state-of-the-art practices and initiatives that
have proven to be effective in reducing substance abuse among
youth;
``(7) to enhance, not supplant, local community initiatives
for reducing substance abuse among youth; and
``(8) to encourage the creation of and support for
community anti-drug coalitions throughout the United States.
``SEC. 1023. DEFINITIONS.
``In this chapter:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator appointed by the Director under section
1031(c).
``(2) Advisory commission.--The term `Advisory Commission'
means the Advisory Commission established under section 1041.
``(3) Community.--The term `community' shall have the
meaning provided that term by the Administrator, in
consultation with the Advisory Commission.
``(4) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
``(5) Eligible coalition.--The term `eligible coalition'
means a coalition that meets the applicable criteria under
section 1032(a).
``(6) Grant recipient.--The term `grant recipient' means
the recipient of a grant award under section 1032.
``(7) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit
organization' means an organization described under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt
from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
``(8) Program.--The term `Program' means the program
established under section 1031(a).
``(9) Substance abuse.--The term `substance abuse' means--
``(A) the illegal use or abuse of drugs, including
substances listed in schedules I through V of section 112 of
the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812);
``(B) the abuse of inhalants; or
``(C) the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other related product
as such use is prohibited by State or local law.
``(10) Youth.--The term `youth' shall have the meaning
provided that term by the Administrator, in consultation with
the Advisory Commission.
``SEC. 1024. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Office of National Drug Control Policy to carry out
this chapter--
``(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
``(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
``(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
``(4) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
``(5) $43,500,000 for fiscal year 2002.
``(b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than the following
percentages of the amounts authorized under subsection (a)
may be used to pay administrative costs:
``(1) 10 percent for fiscal year 1998.
``(2) 6 percent for fiscal year 1999.
``(3) 4 percent for fiscal year 2000.
``(4) 3 percent for fiscal year 2001.
``(5) 3 percent for fiscal year 2002.
[[Page H3177]]
``Subchapter I--Drug-Free Communities Support Program
``SEC. 1031. ESTABLISHMENT OF DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT
PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a
program to support communities in the development and
implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs
to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth.
``(b) Program.--In carrying out the Program, the Director
shall--
``(1) make and track grants to grant recipients;
``(2) provide for technical assistance and training, data
collection, and dissemination of information on state-of-the-
art practices that the Director determines to be effective in
reducing substance abuse; and
``(3) provide for the general administration of the
Program.
``(c) Administration.--Not later than 30 days after
receiving recommendations from the Advisory Commission under
section 1042(a)(1), the Director shall appoint an
Administrator to carry out the Program.
``(d) Contracting.--The Director may employ any necessary
staff and may enter into contracts or agreements with
national drug control agencies, including interagency
agreements to delegate authority for the execution of grants
and for such other activities necessary to carry out this
chapter.
``SEC. 1032. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.
``(a) Grant Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an
initial grant or a renewal grant under this subchapter, a
coalition shall meet each of the following criteria:
``(1) Application.--The coalition shall submit an
application to the Administrator in accordance with section
1033(a)(2).
``(2) Major sector involvement.--
``(A) In general.--The coalition shall consist of 1 or more
representatives of each of the following categories:
``(i) Youth.
``(ii) Parents.
``(iii) Businesses.
``(iv) The media.
``(v) Schools.
``(vi) Organizations serving youth.
``(vii) Law enforcement.
``(viii) Religious or fraternal organizations.
``(ix) Civic and volunteer groups.
``(x) Health care professionals.
``(xi) State, local, or tribal governmental agencies with
expertise in the field of substance abuse (including, if
applicable, the State authority with primary authority for
substance abuse).
``(xii) Other organizations involved in reducing substance
abuse.
``(B) Elected officials.--If feasible, in addition to
representatives from the categories listed in subparagraph
(A), the coalition shall have an elected official (or a
representative of an elected official) from--
``(i) the Federal Government; and
``(ii) the government of the appropriate State and
political subdivision thereof or the governing body or an
Indian tribe (as that term is defined in section 4(e) of the
Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e))).
``(C) Representation.--An individual who is a member of the
coalition may serve on the coalition as a representative of
not more than 1 category listed under subparagraph (A).
``(3) Commitment.--The coalition shall demonstrate, to the
satisfaction of the Administrator--
``(A) that the representatives of the coalition have worked
together on substance abuse reduction initiatives, which, at
a minimum, includes initiatives that target drugs referenced
in section 1023(9)(A), for a period of not less than 6
months, acting through entities such as task forces,
subcommittees, or community boards; and
``(B) substantial participation from volunteer leaders in
the community involved (especially in cooperation with
individuals involved with youth such as parents, teachers,
coaches, youth workers, and members of the clergy).
``(4) Mission and strategies.--The coalition shall, with
respect to the community involved--
``(A) have as its principal mission the reduction of
substance abuse, which, at a minimum, includes the use and
abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in a
comprehensive and long-term manner, with a primary focus on
youth in the community;
``(B) describe and document the nature and extent of the
substance abuse problem, which, at a minimum, includes the
use and abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in
the community;
``(C)(i) provide a description of substance abuse
prevention and treatment programs and activities, which, at a
minimum, includes programs and activities relating to the use
and abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in
existence at the time of the grant application; and
``(ii) identify substance abuse programs and service gaps,
which, at a minimum, includes programs and gaps relating to
the use and abuse of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A),
in the community;
``(D) develop a strategic plan to reduce substance abuse
among youth, which, at a minimum, includes the use and abuse
of drugs referenced in section 1023(9)(A), in a comprehensive
and long-term fashion; and
``(E) work to develop a consensus regarding the priorities
of the community to combat substance abuse among youth,
which, at a minimum, includes the use and abuse of drugs
referenced in section 1023(9)(A).
``(5) Sustainability.--The coalition shall demonstrate that
the coalition is an ongoing concern by demonstrating that the
coalition--
``(A) is--
``(i)(I) a nonprofit organization; or
``(II) an entity that the Administrator determines to be
appropriate; or
``(ii) part of, or is associated with, an established legal
entity;
``(B) receives financial support (including, in the
discretion of the Administrator, in-kind contributions) from
non-Federal sources; and
``(C) has a strategy to solicit substantial financial
support from non-Federal sources to ensure that the coalition
and the programs operated by the coalition are self-
sustaining.
``(6) Accountability.--The coalition shall--
``(A) establish a system to measure and report outcomes--
``(i) consistent with common indicators and evaluation
protocols established by the Administrator; and
``(ii) approved by the Administrator;
``(B) conduct--
``(i) for an initial grant under this subchapter, an
initial benchmark survey of drug use among youth (or use
local surveys or performance measures available or accessible
in the community at the time of the grant application); and
``(ii) biennial surveys (or incorporate local surveys in
existence at the time of the evaluation) to measure the
progress and effectiveness of the coalition; and
``(C) provide assurances that the entity conducting an
evaluation under this paragraph, or from which the coalition
receives information, has experience--
``(i) in gathering data related to substance abuse among
youth; or
``(ii) in evaluating the effectiveness of community anti-
drug coalitions.
``(b) Grant Amounts.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Grants.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (iv), for a fiscal
year, the Administrator may grant to an eligible coalition
under this paragraph, an amount not to exceed the amount of
non-Federal funds raised by the coalition, including in-kind
contributions, for that fiscal year.
``(ii) Suspension of grants.--If such grant recipient fails
to continue to meet the criteria specified in subsection (a),
the Administrator may suspend the grant, after providing
written notice to the grant recipient and an opportunity to
appeal.
``(iii) Renewal grants.--Subject to clause (iv), the
Administrator may award a renewal grant to a grant recipient
under this subparagraph for each fiscal year following the
fiscal year for which an initial grant is awarded, in an
amount not to exceed the amount of non-Federal funds raised
by the coalition, including in-kind contributions, for that
fiscal year, during the 4-year period following the period of
the initial grant.
``(iv) Limitation.--The amount of a grant award under this
subparagraph may not exceed $100,000 for a fiscal year.
``(B) Coalition awards.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the
Administrator may, with respect to a community, make a grant
to 1 eligible coalition that represents that community.
``(ii) Exception.--The Administrator may make a grant to
more than 1 eligible coalition that represents a community
if--
``(I) the eligible coalitions demonstrate that the
coalitions are collaborating with one another; and
``(II) each of the coalitions has independently met the
requirements set forth in subsection (a).
``(2) Rural coalition grants.--
``(A) In general.--
``(i) In general.--In addition to awarding grants under
paragraph (1), to stimulate the development of coalitions in
sparsely populated and rural areas, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Advisory Commission, may award a grant
in accordance with this section to a coalition that
represents a county with a population that does not exceed
30,000 individuals. In awarding a grant under this paragraph,
the Administrator may waive any requirement under subsection
(a) if the Administrator considers that waiver to be
appropriate.
``(ii) Matching requirement.--Subject to subparagraph (C),
for a fiscal year, the Administrator may grant to an eligible
coalition under this paragraph, an amount not to exceed the
amount of non-Federal funds raised by the coalition,
including in-kind contributions, for that fiscal year.
``(iii) Suspension of grants.--If such grant recipient
fails to continue to meet any criteria specified in
subsection (a) that has not been waived by the Administrator
pursuant to clause (i), the Administrator may suspend the
grant, after providing written notice to the grant recipient
and an opportunity to appeal.
``(B) Renewal grants.--The Administrator may award a
renewal grant to an eligible coalition that is a grant
recipient under this paragraph for each fiscal year following
the fiscal year for which an initial grant is awarded, in an
amount not to exceed the amount of non-Federal funds raised
by the coalition, including in-kind contributions, during the
4-year period following the period of the initial grant.
``(C) Limitations.--
[[Page H3178]]
``(i) Amount.--The amount of a grant award under this
paragraph shall not exceed $100,000 for a fiscal year.
``(ii) Awards.--With respect to a county referred to in
subparagraph (A), the Administrator may award a grant under
this section to not more than 1 eligible coalition that
represents the county.
``SEC. 1033. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION WITH
RESPECT TO GRANT RECIPIENTS.
``(a) Coalition Information.--
``(1) General auditing authority.--For the purpose of audit
and examination, the Administrator--
``(A) shall have access to any books, documents, papers,
and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant renewal
request under this chapter; and
``(B) may periodically request information from a grant
recipient to ensure that the grant recipient meets the
applicable criteria under section 1032(a).
``(2) Application process.--The Administrator shall issue a
request for proposal regarding, with respect to the grants
awarded under section 1032, the application process, grant
renewal, and suspension or withholding of renewal grants.
Each application under this paragraph shall be in writing and
shall be subject to review by the Administrator.
``(3) Reporting.--The Administrator shall, to the maximum
extent practicable and in a manner consistent with applicable
law, minimize reporting requirements by a grant recipient and
expedite any application for a renewal grant made under this
subchapter.
``(b) Data Collection and Dissemination.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator may collect data
from--
``(A) national substance abuse organizations that work with
eligible coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions,
departments or agencies of the Federal Government, or State
or local governments and the governing bodies of Indian
tribes; and
``(B) any other entity or organization that carries out
activities that relate to the purposes of the Program.
``(2) Activities of administrator.--The Administrator may--
``(A) evaluate the utility of specific initiatives relating
to the purposes of the Program;
``(B) conduct an evaluation of the Program; and
``(C) disseminate information described in this subsection
to--
``(i) eligible coalitions and other substance abuse
organizations; and
``(ii) the general public.
``SEC. 1034. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Technical assistance and agreements.--With respect to
any grant recipient or other organization, the Administrator
may--
``(A) offer technical assistance and training; and
``(B) enter into contracts and cooperative agreements.
``(2) Coordination of programs.--The Administrator may
facilitate the coordination of programs between a grant
recipient and other organizations and entities.
``(b) Training.--The Administrator may provide training to
any representative designated by a grant recipient in--
``(1) coalition building;
``(2) task force development;
``(3) mediation and facilitation, direct service,
assessment and evaluation; or
``(4) any other activity related to the purposes of the
Program.
``Subchapter II--Advisory Commission
``SEC. 1041. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMISSION.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to
be known as the `Advisory Commission on Drug-Free
Communities'.
``(b) Purpose.--The Advisory Commission shall advise,
consult with, and make recommendations to the Director
concerning matters related to the activities carried out
under the Program.
``SEC. 1042. DUTIES.
``(a) In General.--The Advisory Commission--
``(1) shall, not later than 30 days after its first
meeting, make recommendations to the Director regarding the
selection of an Administrator;
``(2) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement made by the
Program;
``(3) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
the activities of the Program;
``(4) may make recommendations to the Director regarding
any policy or criteria established by the Director to carry
out the Program;
``(5) may--
``(A) collect, by correspondence or by personal
investigation, information concerning initiatives, studies,
services, programs, or other activities of coalitions or
organizations working in the field of substance abuse in the
United States or any other country; and
``(B) with the approval of the Director, make the
information referred to in subparagraph (A) available through
appropriate publications or other methods for the benefit of
eligible coalitions and the general public; and
``(6) may appoint subcommittees and convene workshops and
conferences.
``(b) Recommendations.--If the Director rejects any
recommendation of the Advisory Commission under subsection
(a)(1), the Director shall notify the Advisory Commission in
writing of the reasons for the rejection not later than 15
days after receiving the recommendation.
``(c) Conflict of Interest.--A member of the Advisory
Commission shall recuse himself or herself from any decision
that would constitute a conflict of interest.
``SEC. 1043. MEMBERSHIP.
``(a) In General.--The President shall appoint 11 members
to the Advisory Commission as follows:
``(1) 4 members shall be appointed from the general public
and shall include leaders--
``(A) in fields of youth development, public policy, law,
or business; or
``(B) of nonprofit organizations or private foundations
that fund substance abuse programs.
``(2) 4 members shall be appointed from the leading
representatives of national substance abuse reduction
organizations, of which no fewer than 3 members shall have
extensive training or experience in drug prevention.
``(3) 3 members shall be appointed from the leading
representatives of State substance abuse reduction
organizations.
``(b) Chairperson.--The Advisory Commission shall elect a
chairperson or co-chairpersons from among its members.
``(c) Ex Officio Members.--The ex officio membership of the
Advisory Commission shall consist of any 2 officers or
employees of the United States that the Director determines
to be necessary for the Advisory Commission to effectively
carry out its functions.
``SEC. 1044. COMPENSATION.
``(a) In General.--Members of the Advisory Commission who
are officers or employees of the United States shall not
receive any additional compensation for service on the
Advisory Commission. The remaining members of the Advisory
Commission shall receive, for each day (including travel
time) that they are engaged in the performance of the
functions of the Advisory Commission, compensation at rates
not to exceed the daily equivalent to the annual rate of
basic pay payable for grade GS-10 of the General Schedule.
``(b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Advisory
Commission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and
5703 of title 5, United States Code.
``SEC. 1045. TERMS OF OFFICE.
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the term of
office of a member of the Advisory Commission shall be 3
years, except that, as designated at the time of
appointment--
``(1) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(1), 2 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years;
``(2) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(2), 2 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
``(3) of the initial members appointed under section
1043(a)(3), 1 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.
``(b) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy
for an unexpired term of a member shall serve for the
remainder of the unexpired term. A member of the Advisory
Commission may serve after the expiration of such member's
term until a successor has been appointed and taken office.
``SEC. 1046. MEETINGS.
``(a) In General.--After its initial meeting, the Advisory
Commission shall meet, with the advanced approval of the
Administrator, at the call of the Chairperson (or Co-
chairpersons) of the Advisory Commission or a majority of its
members or upon the request of the Director or Administrator
of the Program.
``(b) Quorum.--6 members of the Advisory Commission shall
constitute a quorum.
``SEC. 1047. STAFF.
``The Administrator shall make available to the Advisory
Commission adequate staff, information, and other assistance.
``SEC. 1048. TERMINATION.
``The Advisory Commission shall terminate at the end of
fiscal year 2002.''.
(b) References.--Each reference in Federal law to subtitle
A of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, with the exception of
section 1001 of such subtitle, in any provision of law that
is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this
Act shall be deemed to be a reference to chapter 1 of the
National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 (as so designated
by this section).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio [Mr. Portman] and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett] each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman].
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today the House considers the Drug Free Communities Act
of 1997, legislation I introduced with the gentleman from Illinois [Mr.
Hastert], the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin], and the gentleman
from New York [Mr. Rangel]. This bill provides needed support to our
communities around the country to help them wage the war on drugs,
community by community, child by child.
[[Page H3179]]
There is no more important battle to fight for the future of our
country, and in my view, there is no more effective way to win that war
than to focus our energies at the community level.
The bipartisan effort we have before us today is the result of months
and months of work with communities around the country, with top
experts in the field, with Members on both sides of the aisle, with the
administration. It represents some new thinking. It takes existing
Federal drug control resources and rechannels them to support community
antidrug groups around the country that are actually working to reduce
teenage drug abuse.
I believe a shift in priorities to support effective, sustainable
prevention efforts is long overdue. We all know the numbers.
Tragically, after more than a decade of substantial progress in
reducing substance abuse among our kids the trends have now reversed,
and reversed dramatically. Teenage drug use of marijuana, cocaine,
inhalants, heroin, and other drugs is up. LSD use is at its highest
reported levels.
Of course, it is not just about numbers. It is about our kids and
their futures being ruined. The Drug Free Communities Act is designed
to support something we know actually works in reducing drug abuse,
community-based coalitions. It does so in a cost-effective manner.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the key features of this new
approach. First, to qualify for a Federal matching grant under this
program a local community must first demonstrate a comprehensive
approach to the problem. Experience in the field, good research, and
just common sense tells us that communities that have every major
sector involved in this effort are those that are most effective.
In March 1997, a GAO report confirms this for us. That is why this
legislation supports only those communities that have mobilized youth,
parents, businesses, law enforcement, the media, educators, and other
key sectors that have been working together with a focused mission and
targeted strategies.
Second, the local community must demonstrate that it is not dependent
on the Federal dollars. With local will and local financial support, we
think a program is going to be more successful. Without them, a program
simply cannot survive over the long haul.
Not one Federal dollar will be spent under this program without a
dollar or more first having been generated by a local community. A 100
percent match is required, and no grant can exceed $100,000. The
Federal Government should be a catalyst to communities to do the right
thing. It will then be able to sustain that effort over time, with or
without that Federal support.
Third, one of the most common and often deserved criticism of Federal
programs is that they lack accountability. This bill requires that the
local community have a system of evaluation in place that actually
measures outcomes, consistent with well-accepted standards. Successful
community efforts around the country already do that. They evaluate
their effectiveness. In order to generate local financial support in
the private sector they simply have to do that.
Fourth, although the data indicates that broad-based local efforts
work best, we also know that national and State leadership can play a
very helpful role at the local level. For example, national and State
experts in the field can assist local communities by sharing the best
ideas from around the country, and by helping to put in place effective
systems to sustain and evaluate the local efforts.
This bill encourages local communities to involve their Federal and
their State leaders. The 44 Members of Congress who have recently
established or worked with community antidrug coalitions in their own
districts can speak from their own experiences on this. Some of them
will today.
I can speak for mine. Over the past 2 years with Cincinnati in
organizing the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati in my
hometown, we helped mobilize our local community, but we also brought
national groups to the table, like the Partnership for a Drug Free
America, the Community Antidrug Coalitions of America, CATCA, the
National Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education, PRIDE, as well
as others in the State level. Because the drug issue is best addressed
at the local level, in my view, this bill encourages all of us to focus
our efforts more there.
Fifth, this is not a matter of new money, but getting more bang for
the buck from existing resources. The bill redirects to communities
less than three-tenths of 1 percent of our existing money from the $16
billion Federal drug control budget. We have been working with
appropriators in the full committee and on the Treasury-Postal
Subcommittee to help identify the appropriate offsets.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, to ensure this program assists efforts that are
truly working, and to ensure it gives communities the flexibility to
continue to fashion innovative solutions to local problems, an advisory
commission made up of local community leaders and national and State
experts in the field of substance abuse will help select the
administrator and actually oversee this program.
The legislation has the support of hundreds of community groups in
all 50 States; national leaders, such as former drug czar Bill Bennett,
former HEW Secretary Joe Califano, National Drug Prevention Groups like
CATCA, I mentioned PRIDE, the Partnership for Drug Free America; and
because it is fiscally responsible, it has the support of the Council
for Citizens Against Government Waste.
Before I conclude, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all those
groups around the country who have helped us put this effort together.
Of course, I also want to commend my colleagues, the gentleman from
Michigan Mr. Levin, the gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. Barrett, the
gentleman from Illinois, Denny Hastert, the gentleman from Indiana, Dan
Burton, the gentleman from Maryland, Elijah Cummings, and many others
who actually helped improve this legislation.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to somebody else who is here, my
chief of staff, John Bridgeland. He actually conceived this idea,
coordinated the drafting of the legislation, and helped get it through
the process.
{time} 1045
I really believe that his good work and that of so many from both
sides of the aisle is going to make a difference. It is actually going
to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our kids around this
country. I urge Members to support this legislation so that we can get
on with the business of providing communities the needed support they
need to reduce drug abuse.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume, and I rise in support of the Drug-Free Community Act of
1997.
Mr. Speaker, youth substance abuse is an enormous problem. Studies
show that children who use drugs are two to five times more likely to
drop out of school. One-quarter of our health care costs are related to
substance abuse, and more than half of all child and spousal abuse
cases are related to substance abuse.
Unfortunately, we are not winning the war on teenage drug abuse. In
the last 3 years teenage drug use has risen 78 percent. LSD and
hallucinogen use has increased 183 percent, and cocaine use is up 166
percent.
The Monitoring the Future Study just released in December found that
the increase in teenage drug use is caused in part by the fact that
youngsters have heard less about the dangers of drugs. The message will
more likely reach our children, our teens, when all sectors of the
community, schools, media, law enforcement, and parent groups join
together in a coordinated attack against teenage substance abuse.
Fortunately this bill goes right to the root of the problem and
provides matching grants of up to $100,000 a year to community
coalitions that are working together to get the message to our teens.
Eligible coalitions must demonstrate their long-term commitment,
financial viability and success. Therefore, communities will get the
seed money they need, yet taxpayer money will not be wasted on
unsuccessful programs or programs that do not have the backing of the
community.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important initiative. In fact,
in my own home town, Milwaukee, we have recently had a youth crime
forum
[[Page H3180]]
where we brought together many portions of our community to talk about
the issue of youth crime and drug use. This is the type of forum that I
think would be a perfect candidate for this program. It works with
different components of the community and really allows the community
to come together.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to thank the author
of the bill, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], and the
subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert], for
making this a truly bipartisan bill.
In particular I would like to thank them for working out the concerns
that I raised by adding language that first ensures that the Office of
National Drug Control Policy can draw on the substantial grant
experience of the Department of Health and Human Services; second, that
it protects against violations of ethical standards applicable to White
House entities; and third, makes clear that we do not intend to fund
this program by cutting funding for successful drug prevention programs
already in place at HHS.
I am also very pleased that the concerns raised by the gentleman from
California [Mr. Waxman], the gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders], the
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings], the gentleman from Michigan
[Mr. Levin], and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] were worked
out to everyone's satisfaction.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia Mr. Gingrich], the Speaker of the House.
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Ohio for yielding
me the time.
I want to commend both the Democratic and Republican leaders of this
bill who worked together in a bipartisan manner to help develop a Drug-
free Community Act that I think is a significant step in the right
direction. First of all, I believe that this bill moves us in the right
direction because it moves efforts to the community level. It involves
the entire community and it creates an environment in which we
recognize that volunteers, churches, synagogues, mosques, local
governments, private businesses, and individual citizens all have a
role to play in the drug prevention effort.
The goal is also correct, drug-free communities. I believe all of us
should commit ourselves to the goal of beginning the 21st century on
January 1, 2001, the first morning of the next millennium, a Monday
morning in which our goal should be to have a virtually drug-free
America, to get back, say, to the level of drug use that was prevalent
in 1960, when I was a very tiny child and very few people were using
drugs.
It is doable but it is only doable by having a comprehensive effort,
one key component of which is drug-free communities, a strong effort at
prevention, and making sure the young people know not to do drugs and a
strong effort at education so people understand the consequences of
doing drugs. When people learn that 50 percent of homicides and violent
crime is drug related, that young people who use drugs are between two
and five times more likely to drop out of school, that when over half
the child abuse cases are drug and alcohol related, and let me say, we
recently had a press conference with the gentlewoman from New York [Ms.
Molinari] on child abuse, one of the case workers there said that 99
percent of the cases they had dealt with in their career involved
either drug or alcohol addiction as a component.
It is clear that drug use is a plague which affects this entire
country. This bill moves us towards the world that Marvin Olasky
described in the Tragedy of American Compassion, the world that de
Tocqueville described in Democracy in America, back to an America in
which local citizens in local community programs working with local
faith-based institutions create the environment and the opportunity to
reach out and save lives.
I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the Drug-Free Community Act.
It is a significant building block in the right direction, and it is
the kind of program that will have fewer young people involved with
drugs and a healthier and safer country.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], ranking member of
the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding me
the time. I thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and all those
that made this bill possible. Let me thank Speaker Gingrich. No one in
this House has been more sensitive than Speaker Gingrich to the problem
that has been facing our Nation as we see our youth being destroyed
through a poison that originates outside of this great Republic. We
have talked so many times as to how we can prevent this threat to our
national security, and yet I can almost say hallelujah for this bill
today, Mr. Speaker, because every time I have come to this floor to
talk about drugs and youth, instead of talking about education and hope
and dreams, we have talked about mandatory sentences, more time in jail
instead of what this bill does. And it goes to the American people and
asks, save our country, save our community and save our children.
There is no bigger fight that we can wage by going to our communities
and asking them to give education and hopes and dreams to our children
because, once they have it, they are not the ones that end up with lack
of hope doing drugs, doing crimes, doing violence and causing this
great Nation to be the one that has more people incarcerated than any
Republic on the face of the Earth.
I hope that this serves as a model where the Congress can
continuously go back to the community. One of the things that they will
ask us to do is to help us to keep this poison from coming into this
country from countries that are producing it. If we can tear down the
walls of communism as we have done, we cannot let a couple of nickel
and dime countries produce this poison to come in here and have it
available to our children.
This is what our community would be saying. They will be asking for
our Secretary of State to be speaking out, our Secretary of Education,
everybody in the Cabinet, because this is a threat to our national
security. So I say to Speaker Gingrich, who recognizes that in order to
save our kids we have to give them something to live for, this brings
the community in. And we do not have to go back home and say how tough
we were against drugs based on how long the sentences were.
If we are going to be successful, it means that countries can have
all the drugs available but our kids would not need them. Why? Because
they would be able to say, as we enjoy economic growth, as we move into
the next century, as we see international trade being a new way to go,
they can say that they will be a part of it. But what do they have
today? One thing is certain, that any black family in the United States
of America knows that if they have a child, a boy child that they can
be guaranteed according to the bureau of statistics that one out of
four of those children would end up in jail. When was it that the
American dream was that maybe one of these children could end up as
President of the United States?
So what we are doing as Republican and Democrats is not demagoging an
issue. We are saying, can we not work together? Can we not go to the
communities and ask them, is it not better to have more teachers than
police? Is it not better to go back home to our State legislatures and
find that out, that they are fighting to have a university in their
district instead of what we find out today, they are fighting to have a
prison in their district?
Is it not great to find out in the great city of New York, we pay
$84,000 to keep a bum kid in Rikers Island, a detention center, and the
unions and the mayor are fighting to see whether $7,000 a year is
enough? We pay $7,000 a year for a child being born addicted to drugs,
$40,000 to pull out a bullet after a kid has been shot in a gang war.
And yet we are not prepared to do the things like has been done today,
to come together and say, the strength of our Nation is the confidence
that we have in our communities and that we are going to work together
to make certain as we tore down the walls of communism, we are going to
raise the hope so that those people who disrespect international law,
who grow and dispense and traffic in narcotics and who know they will
be certified because it is the political thing to do, to
[[Page H3181]]
know that the families throughout this country, rich and poor, black
and white say we have had enough of it. The gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
Portman] has found a way to allow us to believe in ourselves and the
Congress by putting together this bill.
Let this be a beginning. Let this be a bridge. Let us forget what we
used to do and see whether we can do more of this type of legislation
when we respond to the hearts and the minds of the people that are
afraid for their children.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Indiana [Mr. Burton].
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R.
956, the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997.
I would like to commend and congratulate my colleague and the
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] who conceived a better cooperative
relationship between Government and communities in order to better
fight the scourge of drugs among our Nation's youth. His diligence and
commitment to this effort have shown amazing results.
Beginning in his own district, the Portman community drug initiative
was proof that Federal partnerships with community leaders and
organizations are an extremely effective weapon in the fight against
illegal drug use. The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] has now turned
his successful effort into this legislation before us today.
I would like to also commend the gentleman from Illinois [Mr.
Hastert] for his tenacity on the drug issue and on this bill in
particular. His leadership on the issue of illegal drug trafficking and
illegal drug use has been outstanding, both in this Congress and in
past Congresses. I thank him for shepherding this legislation through
his subcommittee.
I would also like to congratulate the gentleman from Michigan [Mr.
Levin] and my good friend, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel],
the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett], and others for their help
in this effort.
We, as Members of Congress, often voted on legislation that will
never have a direct impact on our own districts. Today, however,
through this legislation now before us, we will have the means to
positively and directly impact the very cities, towns, and communities
that we represent. This legislation will enable each and every one of
us to go back to our districts with the resources and the knowhow to
bolster our efforts to reduce the devastating effects of substance
abuse that we all know is destroying America.
Drug abuse has doubled in the last 5 years with the most alarming
increases among 13- and 14-year-olds. Absolutely astonishing rates of
drug use are chronicled in the report that accompanies this
legislation, the National Household Survey on Drug Use. That survey
shows that from 1994 to 1996, illegal drug use by 12- to 17-year-olds
rose 78 percent. LSD use increased by 183 percent and cocaine use rose
by 166 percent over those 3 years.
Our young people today are clearly not seeing the risks associated
with drug use the way they used to. Studies on perceived risks bear
this out. One conducted by the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse showed that in just 1 year the number of 12- to 17-
year-olds who said they would never try an illegal drug dropped by 40
percent. Kids are not getting a clear message about drug use, about it
being wrong, deadly, and illegal. They are not getting it from their
parents, and regrettably they are not getting it from the leadership in
this administration.
This bill is very, very important. I urge all of my colleagues to
support it. Once again, I congratulate its sponsor, the gentleman from
Ohio [Mr. Portman].
{time} 1100
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Michigan, [Mr. Levin], one of the leaders on our side of
the aisle that really helped shape this bill.
(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
We have a major problem in this country. This is an effort to address
it. Surveys show, for example, in high schools in the last month, in
many cases a third of the students have used illegal drugs. We have
been losing ground.
This is an effort to say we are going to start to reverse the trend.
The gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Portman] and I put this bill together
with the help of others, based on the experiences within our own
communities. This is a bill that springs from the communities to
Washington.
The gentleman from Ohio has described the experiences within
Cincinnati. Within the 12th District I represent, led by the city of
Troy and early pioneering coalitions, we have seen that the best way to
fight this effort, to make this a successful one, is to draw on all the
resources of the community, every resource: religious leaders, law
enforcement leaders, business leaders, parents, teachers, kids.
Everybody has to be pulled together to work on this.
We have seen this in both Macomb and Oakland Counties, as I said led
by Troy. And an amazing fact in a recent survey, half of the residents
of the city of Troy knew of the Troy Community Coalition and its work
on drugs.
So the gentleman from Ohio and I said to ourselves, in working with
others, how do we replicate the experiences within our communities?
That is the issue, not just to have a successful experiment here or a
successful experiment there but to spread it throughout this country.
And this is an effort through matching grants to try to replicate the
experiences within these communities.
I have enjoyed so much working with him and the gentleman from
Illinois, [Mr. Hastert], who helped us shepherd this through the
subcommittee; with the gentleman from New York, [Mr. Rangel], the
gentleman from Wisconsin, [Mr. Barrett], and others; and with the
staffs, as mentioned by the gentleman from Ohio, and Drew Setter of our
office. Our local staff goes to every single coalition meeting within
our communities.
This is a battle we have no choice but to win, and this act, this
proposal, is an important step to pull us all together to pull this
off. We have no choice.
I am proud to be working with the gentleman from Ohio, and I urge all
of us to vote for this and, more importantly, for every Member to work
to stimulate, if it does not exist, a coalition within our districts.
When we all work together, I think this effort will work.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire as to how much time
remains on each side.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Taylor of North Carolina). Each side has
9 minutes remaining.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to simply commend the gentleman from Michigan, [Mr. Levin], for his
work at the local level.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr.
Boehner], my neighbor.
Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, let me commend my colleague from Ohio, [Mr.
Portman], and our other colleague, the gentleman from Michigan, [Mr.
Levin], for bringing this bill to the floor today and, more
importantly, for all of their hard work, and their staffs in the work
that they are doing to fight teenage drug abuse in both Cincinnati and
in Troy, MI.
There is no doubt that drugs are a big problem in our country. A 1996
study by the National Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Education
showed that 1 in 4 high school seniors use illicit drugs at least once
a month, 1 in 5 use once a week, and 1 in 10 use drugs once every day.
I think this is a serious study.
Another study done by the National Household Survey found that
illicit drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds has increased by 78 percent
in the last 3 years, and LSD and hallucinogen use has increased by an
amazing 166 percent.
Yesterday the President talked about the new glamour drug, that being
heroin, and the fact that it is glamourized by Hollywood and ought to
come to an end.
As with so many other problems in this country, the real gains
against drug abuse are driven at the local level. All over the United
States, including right in my back yard in Cincinnati,
[[Page H3182]]
local programs to fight drug abuse are showing real signs of being
successful. But as my colleagues know, and as these statistics show,
more needs to be done.
In Cincinnati, just down the road from where I live, the gentleman
from Ohio, Rob Portman, has developed a fantastic program with all
types of organizations. In a coordinated effort, the community is
providing parents with drug education training, radio and TV stations
are running antidrug messages, and employers are being encouraged to
adopt certified drug-free workplace programs. With the whole community
working together, we have seen tangible results.
And that is why I am here today, to strongly support their work and
their bill we have before us, H.R. 956, the Drug-Free Communities Act.
This bill encourages local communities to develop their own innovative
approaches to fighting drug abuse and then rewards those who are
successful.
The bill takes already existing Federal funds that would be spent
here in Washington and redirects them to local communities that have a
comprehensive self-sustaining antidrug coalition. They have done a good
job and they deserve our support.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Turner], one of the most active members on
our committee in helping shape this bill.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise in support of the Drug-
Free Communities Act. It is a very important piece of legislation.
We all know the facts and we all know the figures about the problems
of drug abuse in our Nation, and yet I think most of us today would put
faces on those problems. I think about my friend Larry, in Crockett,
whose son recently overdosed on drugs and I attended the funeral. I
think about my friend Mitch, whom I graduated from high school with,
whose children also went to school with mine, who died on prom night in
a single car accident because he drove with too much alcohol.
Those are the very real problems that all of us know all too
personally, which cause us, I think, to unite in a bipartisan way to
attack the problems of drugs in our country.
This bill represents what I think is the very best of bipartisan
cooperation, and I think it represents what government in the next
century must look like. President Clinton said the era of big
government is over, and this bill implements that concept.
I commend the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], the gentleman from
Illinois [Mr. Hastert], the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett], the
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin], and the gentleman from New York
[Mr. Rangel], all of whom worked very hard to bring this bill about.
This bill represents a progressive and commonsense approach to
attacking the menace of drug abuse. It is community based. It
recognizes that communities can best solve their own problems, and it
brings to the table and encourages the coalitions of religious groups,
law enforcement, business community representatives, churches, who all
across this country are working already on this problem. This bill
acknowledges their efforts and provides matching grants to allow them
to continue to build upon the good work that is already being done.
This bill is prevention based. We all know we have built prisons all
across our country, in every State in this Nation, until we have taxed
the taxpayers way too much for the cost of drug abuse and lawbreakers.
But the truth of the matter is this bill also says that prevention is
the key to solving the problem of crime.
This is a good bill. This is a bipartisan bill. This is a bill that
we can all be proud of because it acknowledges that government does
have a role but that communities can best solve their own problems. I
hope every Member of Congress will unite behind this landmark piece of
legislation.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois [Mr. Hastert] who has been a national leader in the fight
against drugs along our borders and our communities.
Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, the problem of drug use in our Nation is
growing. We have heard all the statistics today. We can talk about
statistics and illustrate the problems.
We know that illicit drug use among our most vulnerable population,
our kids, is growing. We know that the number of kids who would say
that they would never try drugs have dropped. We know that parents have
stopped talking to their children about drugs.
We also know that centralized Federal programs, the big government,
so to speak, is not always the answer. We do have a responsibility. We
have the Coast Guard to make sure that we stop drugs coming across our
borders. We have the customs agents and the border patrols. That is our
job in this Congress, to make sure that we can stop drugs coming in.
But the most effective way to stop drugs is prevention; to teach kids,
to give them the support to stop them wanting to try to use drugs.
This is what the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], and I
congratulate him, and my good friend, the gentleman from New York [Mr.
Rangel], who has been on the front of this whole drug issue for a long
time, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin], the gentleman from
Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett], the ranking member, I thank him for his good
work, this is what we are doing. We are pulling together to make sure
communities have the ability to fight this problem.
We are not pouring a lot of money, but we are saying if communities
can bring their faith-based, fraternity-based, civic-based
organizations together to have effective drug prevention, then we can
go ahead and we will help them. If they need a little bit of support,
if they need a director or something along those lines, we can help
them through this bill.
This is the right direction. This is not the only direction but this
is the right direction for this Congress to go in order to fight drugs.
We need to start in the communities. We need to start with people back
home, and this bill does it.
I certainly congratulate the gentleman from Ohio, and I support this
bill and ask everybody else to support it.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings] who, in committee, added a very
important amendment that improved this bill.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Drug-Free
Communities Act. I thank the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman
from Ohio [Mr. Portman] for his vision, his guidance, and his mission.
He and his staff worked in a bipartisan fashion with Members on both
sides of the aisle and they are certainly to be commended for their
hard work.
I also wish to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on National
Security, the gentleman from Illinois, Congressman Hastert, and my
ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett], for their
leadership. And certainly the hard work of the gentleman from New York
[Mr. Rangel], and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin], does not go
unnoticed, and I thank them.
My colleagues, this legislation is so important to our Nation. Many
areas, like my home district of Baltimore, are disproportionately
ravaged by the drug epidemic. This bill would set a blueprint and a
road map for community organizations to receive matching funds and
provide assistance in their drug prevention programs.
This measure focuses on a theme that I echo continuously when I visit
neighborhoods throughout Baltimore. To be successful in this war on
drugs, it will take a partnership between State and local governments,
educators and health care professionals, law enforcement officials and
community groups, as well as religious organizations and the private
sector. There must be a unified American counter-drug effort with one
common purpose, to reduce illegal drug use and its consequences in
America.
I support a national drug strategy, which includes both domestic and
international efforts, to strongly eradicate drug importing and drug
trafficking. However, cultivating and empowering grass roots leadership
is so vital in effective drug control efforts. Best of all, this
measure focuses on local needs. This measure allows us to use the
people's funds in a very effective and cost efficient manner.
[[Page H3183]]
There is one community organization in west Baltimore, led by a woman
named Adele Redden, which has single-handedly reduced drug trafficking
in their neighborhood by 70 percent over the last 3 years. The men and
women who are working in neighborhoods across America are the real
heroes in this fight against drug abuse.
It is crucial we reach our young people before they get hooked on
drugs. This bill goes a long ways towards that end.
My colleagues, if we want to make a difference in the war on drugs,
if we want to go home to our constituents and tell them we are actually
working to stem the flow of drugs entering this country, if we want to
support the drug czar in his efforts to reduce illegal drug use and
crime that comes to our cities, I urge all of us to support this bill.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to commend the gentleman from Maryland for his work in improving the
bill, as I said earlier.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr.
Gilman], the chairman of the Committee on International Relations.
{time} 1115
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in strong support
of H.R. 956, the Drug Free Communities Act of 1997. I commend the
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and our distinguished committee
chairman, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], and the minority
member, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett], the gentleman from
Michigan [Mr. Levin], and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] for
their support of this measure.
It is an important measure. I have taken an active role in our
international fight against drugs as chairman of our Committee on
International Relations. But this important legislation is an important
domestic measure. It encourages our local communities to band together
to develop and share their ideas on the very best way to fight this
scourge on illegal drugs in our society.
The stakes in the drug war are high, affecting the lives of our young
people. We need to develop more community involvement in order to
ensure a more effective antidrug program. Time and time again, it has
been demonstrated that, when confronted with strong community
opposition and awareness, drug traffickers and criminals take their
business elsewhere.
H.R. 956, the Drug Free Communities Act, will make certain that our
communities will have the kind of flexibility and kind of resources
necessary to create solutions that address their own local problems
stemming from drug trafficking and substance abuse. It requires our
community leaders to take the initiative on these issues and to oversee
the antisubstance abuse programs that have been created.
In order to receive Federal matching funds, bear in mind that these
programs must include the involvement of community leaders, must be
sustainable, and must have some system in place to evaluate their
success and failure. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our
colleagues to support this significant antisubstance legislation.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Millender-McDonald], who has been
active both here and in her home community of Los Angeles in addressing
the problems of drug abuse.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle for this piece of legislation. I
am proud to support the Drug Free Community Act. This bipartisan
legislation will authorize essential funding for community coalitions
that are making a difference in addressing the Nation's drug problem.
We have all heard the statistics on the rising rate of marijuana use
among our Nation's youth. Among eighth graders alone, the rate of
marijuana use tripled in 1996, and the marijuana of today is 15 times
more potent than the marijuana used in the 1970's. But even more
lethal, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines are the drugs that are
tearing apart families and ruining communities throughout the country
and in my district.
California has the worst methamphetamine problem in the country. Over
the past few years, there has been a significant increase in
methamphetamine use, especially in Los Angeles. From 1990 to 1994, the
admissions of Los Angeles residents to addiction treatment centers
jumped from 700 to over 2,000, and this number only includes those who
have received treatment.
At any given time during the month, some 13,000 Californians who have
sought treatment cannot get it because they are placed on a waiting
list, which can last from 3 to 60 days. The Drug Free Community Act can
change these numbers and begin a new era when parents, teachers,
churches, and entire communities can come together to prevent, treat,
and ultimately end drug abuse.
We have already lost too many children to drugs and crime. We cannot
afford to lose any more. Creating opportunities for community
coalitions to overcome the problems of drug abuse is essential in our
effort to maintain and improve the social fabric of our communities,
not just in the 37th Congressional District, but in the entire country.
I urge all of my colleagues to vote on this very important bill, and
I would like to thank the sponsors for this legislation, as it will
help me in assisting my constituents in my district.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as we have seen and have heard from a lot of Members,
there is no issue more important to the future of our kids than this
one. We do have a lot of speakers interested in addressing it.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to extend by 20 minutes the
debate time on this legislation, 10 minutes to each side equally
divided between myself and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett].
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Oklahoma [Mr. Watts].
Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr.
Barrett], and I would like to congratulate them on the leadership on
this most difficult and tragic problem, a problem that challenges every
community in America. And that problem, as any parent can tell us, is
the problem of drug abuse among America's youth.
This is not a problem that is limited to America's urban ghettos, as
some would want to believe. There is no hiding from America's drug
dealers by moving to a wealthy suburb or a serene rural area. The drug
dealer sets no boundaries to his deathly trade. He seeks to solicit
profits where there is potential. There is potential in any community,
rich or poor, urban or rural, any community that is not actively
advanced in a serious antidrug effort. That is why this legislation is
so important, and that is why I applaud my colleagues, the gentleman
from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett],
for advancing this important legislation.
The Drug Free Community Act is a major step forward in an effort to
protect our communities from those that would pollute our children,
steal their health, and destroy their lives. It was not too many years
ago when we were heartily congratulating one another on a decrease in
drug use among America's youth. Sadly, our self-congratulation has been
premature.
Statistics show that since 1991, teenage drug use of every kind has
increased at an obscene rate. In 3 years, illicit drug use among 12- to
17-year-olds rose 78 percent. Even more frightening, there is a rise in
drug use among children under 12 years of age.
Just as the drug dealer knows no physical bounds to his trade, he
also knows no age limitation. Our smallest children are his target. The
Drug Free Community Act puts power in the communities where it belongs
and provides incentives and helping hand to citizens who take a stand
against letting drugs take over their communities.
I have seen these local programs work. They can make a difference,
and
[[Page H3184]]
we he must do all we can to extend a hand to America's families and
communities who are on the frontlines of this critical war to put an
end to this drug trade and to save our children. I urge my colleagues
to support the Drug Free Community Act.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she
may consume to the fine gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters].
(Ms. WATERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, I am delighted to join
with all of my colleagues here today to support this legislation. It is
extremely important that Americans know that there is bipartisan
support for this legislation. There is bipartisan support because all
of our communities, whether they are inner cities or rural areas or
suburban areas, are now under attack.
The greatest threat, the greatest security threat to America is
drugs, the illegal use of drugs, the drug addiction, the violence
associated with drugs. The No. 1 priority of the Congressional Black
Caucus is the eradication of drugs in our society. We worked for days
to put together our legislative agenda. We have decided that we are
going to put all of our time and effort in on eradicating drugs.
We went around this country talking about something that had happened
in south central Los Angeles. And many people wondered why I spent so
much time dealing with the accusation of CIA involvement in drug
trafficking. I spent an awful lot of time because in the 1980's, in
south central Los Angeles, I witnessed an explosion of drug addiction
and violence and I wondered what was happening, why were so many young
people getting involved. I wondered why the explosion of violence and
crime.
What is important about my involvement in this issue and trying to
seek out answers is not so much to be able to identify who said what,
who did what, who wrote the memo, my involvement is because in the town
hall meetings across this Nation, whether I was up in Brooklyn, NY, or
St. Louis, MO or south central Los Angeles, was the outpouring of
parents and grandparents talking about what had happened to their
children and their families.
Crack cocaine is one of the most vicious drugs that was ever
manufactured by anybody. That is not to say that marijuana and
methamphetamine are not dangerous and addictive. They are, and they are
problems. But I want you to know what we have witnessed with crack
cocaine should not happen to humans anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
The Congressional Black Caucus is determined that we are going to
take back our communities, we are going to give leadership, we are
going to provide a platform for debate and discussion on this issue, we
are going to engage communities, we are going to hold the town hall
meetings, we are talking with young people, we will be involved at
campaigns, we are going to do everything that is possible to do to take
back our communities, protect our children, be involved with prevention
and rehabilitation, and, yes, redirection.
This bill speaks to that. This bill speaks to it because it talks
about community coalitions, engaging communities, getting everybody
involved in this problem. We have introduced seven bills from the
Congressional Black Caucus. Many of those bills would complement this
bill. Not only do we talk about community coalitions also, but we talk
about rehabilitation and we talk about prevention. But we also ask the
Department of Justice to help to monitor the drugs that are confiscated
so that they do not get back out on the streets in ways that we have
learned that they are doing in some of our communities.
I am so pleased and proud that the Members who have worked on this
had the wisdom and the foresight and the vision to understand where we
must direct our attention. We cannot talk about job training, we cannot
talk about teenage pregnancy prevention, we cannot talk about keeping
young people in school until we get rid of this scourge in our
community. And we can do it.
The American people have not used their power to deal with this
issue. We have allowed this explosion. We have allowed young people
increasingly to turn to drugs for answers. And we have sat back waiting
on somebody else to solve the problem. Well, nobody else is going to
solve this problem. We collectively are going to solve this problem. We
are going to solve this problem because we are going to take the bull
by the horns.
These are our children. They did not drop down out of Mars. They did
not come from someplace else. They are our grandchildren, our nieces,
our nephews, our neighbors. These are our children. And if they are to
be secure, if they are to be responsible, it is because we are going to
provide that leadership, we are going to be the examples, we are going
to be the leaders, we are going to be the organizers, we are going to
be the ones that will set America free and allow our children to
realize their potential.
I do not know any parents who do not believe that their child can be
President of the United States of America. I do not know any parent who
does not understand that our children are precious and they should have
the opportunity to realize their potential. And while we all have these
dreams and these visions, we have allowed the scourge of drugs and drug
traffickers and those who would peddle in death and destruction to
increasingly creep into our lives and our communities and contaminate
our children, contaminate our neighborhoods.
Enough is enough. I will join hands with the most right wing of
Republicans, the most left, if they can get on the left of me, of
Democrats in order to get this work done. It is our job. It really is
our challenge. But you know what? We are smart. We are committed. We
work hard. We have the energy, and we have the love for humanity, we
have the love for our families and our children.
{time} 1130
This bill really sets the tone and defines what we care about. The
seven bills of the Congressional Black Caucus will further do that. I
want my colleagues to watch the Congressional Black Caucus on this
issue. I want my colleagues to watch us take leadership. I want Members
to see what we have committed to do on this issue. I know there are
those who have said, well, we have not heard enough. We were just naive
enough oftentimes to believe that somehow somebody else, be it the
White House or somebody else, was just going to do this work.
Now that we have all decided to get involved, I am more inspired than
I have ever been. If I do nothing else in my career, if I do nothing
else in providing leadership, the leadership that I will provide as the
chair of the Congressional Black Caucus will be centered and focused on
this issue, on getting rid of drugs in our society, freeing our
communities, as this bill indicates.
I thank the Members, all Members who have worked, who have labored,
who have put it together. This is what we need. Combined with all that
we are going to be doing and the bills that we have put together in the
Congressional Black Caucus, I think we will see a change. The data, the
statistics, will be different a year from now. If we continue in the
fashion and the way that I know we can, 5 years down the road, we can
all stand up and be very proud about the significant reduction that we
have made in the use of drugs, in the crime and violence associated
with drugs. We can see the reductions in the Federal penitentiaries, of
young people who are getting convicted under mandatory minimums, many
of them just 19 and 20 years old, addicted themselves, out hustling,
selling small amounts of drugs because they think somehow they can get
over.
We are going to see a change in that. We need those resources that we
are putting into prisons to do other things with. We do not need to be
continuing to take the taxpayers' money to deal with the problem that
way. The Rand study that just came out said that is not the way to
solve the problem anyway.
This is the way to do it. We are going to wrap our arms around this
program, we are going to put our hearts, our heads, and our minds
together and we are going to let our children know that we truly love
them and we are going to show them we love them because we have made
them our No. 1 priority
[[Page H3185]]
through our public policy work and through sharing of resources to deal
with this problem.
Again, I am so proud, I am so pleased and delighted to be a part of
this kind of coalition, of this kind of effort until I will not only
commit again my time and my attention as the chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus, but every member of the Congressional Black Caucus is
committed and will be working beyond the Halls of Congress, on the
streets, in the neighborhoods, in the townhall meetings, in the
community centers and in the churches.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her passionate
support and for her wing-to-wing broad spectrum approach to the
problem.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from North
Carolina [Mrs. Myrick].
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I also commend my colleagues for bringing
this legislation forward. I commend my colleague from California for
her remarks on this issue. We all do want to work together to solve the
problem.
I served as the mayor of Charlotte, NC, which is a large city. We
definitely are experiencing all these problems with crime and teenage
drug abuse. It is in every part of the country. It is not just in the
large cities. It especially was important to me when I was mayor, and
it is still important to me that we solve the problem. There is no
reason we should not have solved it long ago.
I have witnessed firsthand the devastation that this causes in our
communities, the devastation of lives and the crime that comes along
with it. I have worked on the streets so I know firsthand of what I am
speaking.
I also found the best way to solve the problem was through local
organizations, groups that came together who really could work
together, who knew what the problem was and could best solve it at the
local level, not with the Federal Government dictating to them but
giving the options of them knowing how best to do it.
The Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 encourages that local community
involvement to solve the problems by forming these coalitions. I have
always said we at home know best how to solve our problems and we know
best how to achieve success. The most successful substance abuse
programs do have coalitions of churches and religious organizations
involved. We need to encourage more of that because that is one of the
main reasons that they work. I for one do not want to attend any more
funerals of 13-, 14-, and 15-year-olds who have been senselessly
murdered or drug overdosed because we have not done all we could do at
all levels of government and all levels of community to solve this. I
urge support of this bill.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Virginia [Mr. Wolf] who has been very bold on this issue at the
local level. He is also going to be critical frankly in the
appropriations process in finding the appropriate offsets.
(Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. WOLF. I did not really come over to talk about the legislation. I
came over to personally thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] for
his leadership on this issue.
There is a major drug problem in the country. I learned about it when
I went into the high schools as I do and listened to the young people
in my district. I learn what to do about it when I listen to the
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] here in Congress. Because of the
effort of the gentleman from Ohio, we have been able to put together a
number of coalitions in our district that have made a difference.
I just want to thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and let
him know that there will be many moms and dads and many young people
who will be saved from the drug use problem for many, many years to
come. It will be because of the leadership that the gentleman from Ohio
[Mr. Portman] exercised and they may never know why it was done.
I want to pay tribute to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and
urge all Members in this body, on both sides of the aisle, if they have
not focused on the problem, I guarantee there is a major, major drug
problem in Members' congressional districts. It may be in the most
wealthy portion of a Member's district. I urge my colleagues to use
this legislation to put together a coalition to do something about it.
I again thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman].
I am pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 956, the Drug Free
Communities Act of 1997.
I am a cosponsor of this legislation, which I believe will help
reduce teenage drug use and abuse. In my congressional district, I have
been active in promoting the creation and maintenance of community
antidrug coalitions. Over the last year, I have sponsored two
districtwide conferences and workshops to help implement the community
coalition concept. These coalitions are groups of individuals from
cities, towns, communities, and neighborhoods who work to reduce drug
use by children and to keep their neighborhoods drug free.
H.R. 956 has been endorsed by numerous antidrug organizations,
including: PRIDE Parent Training, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America, Drug Abuse Resistance Education America [DARE], and Mothers
Against Drunk Driving.
There are five main features of this legislation: First, in order to
receive Federal support, a community must first demonstrate a
comprehensive, long-term commitment to address teenage drug use through
grassroots participation at the local level.
Second, a community must demonstrate that its antidrug coalition is
an ongoing concern that also has non-Federal financial support.
Third, a community must have a good system to evaluate the success of
its antidrug coalition efforts.
Fourth, the coalition must be run by local leaders familiar with
local problems and needs.
Fifth, community coalitions will be eligible for Federal matching
grant funding if they meet the above criteria.
I know this legislation will prove helpful in the efforts of
communities across America to fight the scourge of drugs. Teenage drug
use and abuse has been skyrocketing and I believe H.R. 956 is an
important step in helping to educate children about drugs and keeping
communities drug free. I thank Congressman Portman for his leadership
on this matter and for bringing this important legislation to the floor
today.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Kentucky [Mr. Lewis].
Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 956, the Drug-
Free Communities Act. This better equips community antidrug
organizations that have proven effective in the war on drugs. All one
needs to do is look at the facts to see that we have not done enough to
combat drug abuse in our country.
Fact. Marijuana use among high schoolers has more than doubled since
1992. Fact. LSD use is now at its highest level since the early 1970's.
Fact. We are losing the war on drugs.
I believe that the best place to wage the war on drugs is in the
home. When parents get involved, drug use is dramatically reduced.
Local institutions must also get involved. Churches, schools, civic
organizations, and local dignitaries must also step forward and help
fight the war on drugs.
This bill sends to local organizations the resources to provide
needed guidance and support to stamp out this scourge on society.
Recently I initiated the Heartland Coalition project. The goal of this
project in my district in Kentucky is to bring together current
antidrug groups and coordinate efforts to curtail the drastic increase
in illegal drug use. These existing antidrug groups can efficiently and
effectively use the Federal dollars allocated by this bill to do just
that.
Mr. Speaker, these grants can be used for a variety of purposes. They
can help cover media campaigns to educate our kids about the dangers of
drug abuse, or they can be used to sponsor seminars at schools. If
these efforts keep just one kid off drugs, this bill will be a success.
I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 956, the Drug-Free
Communities Act. Again the best place to battle drugs is on the local
level. That is what this bill does. It gives local communities the
ability to fight the war on drugs.
I would also like to commend the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman]
for his leadership on this issue.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York [Mr. Forbes].
(Mr. FORBES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
[[Page H3186]]
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the architects of this wonderful
initiative, because really it is about our children. There is no more
precious resource in this Nation than our children and their futures.
Frankly, the viability of our Nation rests on doing something about
this very, very important problem.
The American people might say, well, the Congress has talked about
this for decades. We have attacked the problem of drug abuse, whether
from the interdiction and stricter laws or the education side; we have
debated about who is more correct on fighting drugs, the White House or
the Congress. We have had these debates over the last several decades.
Frankly, I think it points out most importantly that the Congress and
the White House, whomever is in control of either, really does
understand that there is probably no greater scourge, no more pressing
public policy issue than dealing with this problem of those who push
poison upon our children. That is why I am so delighted and thank my
good colleagues and the architects of this important legislation, the
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, for this wonderful initiative.
Over a year ago, thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Ohio
[Mr. Portman], I stole a few ideas that he had initiated back home in
his own district in Ohio. That was, to bring together the disparate
groups that work so hard and so tirelessly to fight this problem of
drug abuse in our communities. One thing I found out in bringing the
groups together, whether it was the treatment folks or the education
folks, whether the police, whether it was community groups, that they
were all doing their own thing very, very well, but doing their own
thing. I was surprised to learn that despite the notoriety of this
problem, these well-meaning groups were not talking to each other. That
is a very big problem in trying to fight the scourge of drugs.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative will truly bring all parts of our
community together, the churches and the synagogues, houses of worship,
the youth, the police, the employers, parents, civic organizations.
This is the critical part of this legislation. I thank the architects
and I am proud to be a sponsor and supporter of this initiative.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield for a
quick question?
Mr. PORTMAN. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. I understand that the only difference
between the version filed on Monday and the version being considered
today is a minor technical change to ensure that the bill does not
violate the establishment clause of the Constitution; is that correct?
Mr. PORTMAN. The gentleman is correct.
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fattah].
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Taylor of North Carolina). The gentleman
from Pennsylvania is recognized for 1 minute.
(Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett] for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. As someone who led a
drug-free coalition effort in my own city in Philadelphia and has seen
its benefits, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
Portman] for his leadership on this and for our committee for
expeditiously moving this bill forward.
This is the beginning of what we can do here at the Federal level.
The gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] has for such a long time been
pointing in the right direction that as a Nation we should take a more
aggressive leadership role on this issue and that more can be done. I
rise in favorable support of this. I know that it works, bringing
people together, providing the kind of cohesive and coordinated efforts
that can happen through these efforts in the local communities. We
should not stop here, however, and we should take hopefully this
bipartisan spirit and really work together, really making sure that
treatment and prevention are resources that are going to be available
in abundance at a neighborhood level and community level and also
inside our prison system which we seem so dedicated to as a society, we
should also make sure that treatment is available and assistance is
available there.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for
3\1/2\ minutes.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of shocking statistics
today. Those alone should inspire us to act and pass this legislation
today. But as a lot of Members have also reminded us, this is about
people and it is about our kids. I would not be standing here today
probably if not for a visit 3 years ago from a young woman in my
district, Patty Gilbert, the mother of two, who came to me to say that
her 16-year-old son had just died from a combination of huffing
gasoline and smoking marijuana.
{time} 1145
Mr. Speaker, she issued a challenge to me. She said, ``I want to you
to help us in our community.'' She said, ``I don't want to hear more
about this rhetoric from Washington. I want to know what you can do to
help us locally.''
Mr. Speaker, it took us a while, but we finally came up with this
idea that these communities coalitions really were working around the
country, and it is something that Members of Congress could get engaged
in and help with.
My colleagues have heard from a few Members today, the gentleman from
Kentucky [Mr. Lewis] and others who have committee coalitions up and
going, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin], and they are working.
We have at least 43 Members of Congress who are now working on their
own community coalitions.
This bill is the next step because it really does answer her
question, it really does provide help in a meaningful way back in our
communities. It does so by parent training. It does so by getting our
businesses to have drug-free workplaces. It does so by involving our
religious community. It does so by involving our schools. It is a
neighborhood approach, it is a local approach, a community approach; we
know it works.
This is something that Congress is doing, as we have seen this
morning, in a bipartisan way to approach a very real problem, and again
what, I think, is a very meaningful way.
I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the
legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for all their
help in putting this together.
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 956, a
bill I am pleased to cosponsor with my neighbor from Ohio,
Representative Portman. I commend Representative Portman and the other
members of the drug policy working group for their efforts in this
area.
H.R. 956 is an important step forward in our efforts to help the
people who can do the most to stop illegal drug abuse. This bill would
provide assistance to local community drug coalitions that have
demonstrated a commitment to fighting drug abuse.
I have spent a good bit of time in the last few months visiting with
community leaders in southern Indiana who are active in fighting drug
abuse. School counselors, PTA's, student groups, law enforcement
officers, clergy, prosecutors, health care workers, businesses, and
nonprofits are doing remarkable things to reduce drug abuse in their
communities. They deserve our support.
I am often struck by how little the debate in Congress focuses on
what actually works to discourage drug use. Almost everyone agrees that
the Government needs to interdict drug smugglers, eradicate drug-
producing crops, convict drug dealers, and help people break the cycle
of drug addiction. We fall short, however, in taking personal
responsibility for discouraging young people from using drugs. Parents,
teachers, community leaders--and our young people themselves--need to
take a more active role in fighting drug use. I have made a personal
commitment to do more to keep young people off of drugs, and I
encourage my colleagues to do the same.
I am pleased that H.R. 956 offers more resources to the people on the
front line of anti-drug efforts. Former First Lady Barbara Bush used to
say that what happens in your house is more important than what happens
in the White House. She was right on target: The solution to the drug
problem begins at home. Data suggest that if parents would simply talk
[[Page H3187]]
to their children regularly about the dangers of substance abuse, use
among youth could be expected to decline by as much as 30 percent. We
must do all we can to help parents, teachers, clergy, and community
leaders begin those conversations.
The drug problem comes down to this: Personal responsibility. Not
just for those who abuse drugs, but for every community member. We must
each take it upon ourselves to do a little more to fight drugs. I am
making fighting youth drug use a top personal priority in southern
Indiana. We can have an impact if a few more of us wear red drug-free
ribbons, if a few more parents ask their children about drugs at the
dinner table, if a few more businesses sponsor a youth drug-free
program. If each of us insists on more responsibility--and sets a
personal example by not using drugs and discouraging others not to use
them--we may be able to keep our young people and our communities safe
from the scourge of drugs.
I urge my colleagues to give this bill--and this issue--their strong
and sustained support.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Taylor of North Carolina). The question
is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 956, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________