[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 ACHIEVING A DRUG-FREE AMERICA BY 2001

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                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage my colleagues to read 
the following article by Rev. Nelson Price, who chairs the Drug-Free 
District Coalition in the sixth district of Georgia. Rampant drug abuse 
reflects the breakdown of a society, and for this reason, I reiterate 
my challenge of achieving a drug-free America by 2001. This is not 
about a Federal program, an additional piece of legislation, or even 
more money. This is about the daily involvement of local communities, 
schools, churches, teachers, and, as Reverend Price stresses, parents, 
to assure that every person can pursue happiness in a drug-free 
America.

            [From the Marietta Daily Journal, June 1, 1997]

                       Parents Must Lead Drug War

                           (By Nelson Price)

       We have a crisis.
       There is an epidemic sweeping our nation more destructive 
     than any in our history. Tragically most don't even know it.
       We speak of the drug culture of the late 1960s and early 
     '70s as bad, and it was. But at the present rate we will 
     exceed those records for illicit drug use in our country. To 
     complicate that, the drugs now being used are significantly 
     stronger. Observe:
       Almost one in 10 high school seniors (8.4 percent) uses 
     drugs daily.
       Nearly one in five twelfth graders (18.3 percent) uses an 
     illicit drug weekly or more.
       More than one in four (26.5 percent) use an illicit drug 
     once a month or more.
       Between 1987-88 and 1990-91 there was an increase of 72.6 
     percent in the annual use of illicit drugs.
       Fewer students than ever say parents warn them. Schools are 
     doing a much better job than parents in warning youth about 
     illicit drugs. Some 88.9 percent said their teachers have 
     taught them about drug dangers.
       Among the youth who say their parents never talk with them 
     about illicit drugs, 35.5. percent reported using an illicit 
     drug in the past year. That number dropped to 26.6 percent 
     for those whose parents spoke about it ``a lot.''
       Schools are least likely places for drug abuse.
       Sure, the evidence of drug use shows up there, but use that 
     isn't the favorite place. Among five choices (home, friend's 
     home, car, school, other place), students reported school as 
     the least likely place. Only 4.2 percent said they smoked 
     marijuana at school. Most reported they used illicit drugs 
     when their parents were in charge. In most instances, it is 
     without the parents' awareness. That in itself indicates the 
     parents aren't in touch with who their child really is.
       This is not casual recreational use. Students are getting 
     higher than before on marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD and 
     amphetamines. This is not experimental. It is monthly, weekly 
     and daily use. Additionally, students are getting higher than 
     ever on beer, inhalants, hallucinogens and uppers.
       Only a parents' war on drugs can stem the tide. Some 73.3 
     percent of twelfth graders say drugs are easy to get. 
     Building personal character and individual well-being is the 
     way to equip a person to abstain.
       Parents, use every resource at our disposal. There is a 
     reason youth use drugs. A primary one is they are spiritually 
     deprived by the media and their world in general. Parents, 
     there are churches who will open their doors and hearts to 
     you today.
       The Rev. Nelson Price is pastor of Roswell Street Baptist 
     Church.

     

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