[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 DRUG-FREE AMERICA TASK FORCE AWARENESS

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                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Drug-Free America 
Task Force, I have had the opportunity to meet with numerous 
organizations and individuals interested in finding ways to reduce drug 
use. One of the studies that caught my attention was a study by the 
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. It stated that a 12-year-old 
who smokes marijuana is roughly 80 times more likely to use cocaine 
than one who does not, adults who as adolescents smoked marijuana are 
17 more times likely to use cocaine regularly, and 60 percent of 
adolescents who use marijuana before age 15 will later use cocaine.
  It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that the key to reduce overall drug use 
is to find ways to curtail the number of our children who use drugs. As 
a parent, I realize that the lifestyle decisions my wife and I make 
will impact our children. Our children are fortunate that they have had 
a good example set for them, but there are many kids whose parents or 
other role models send them the wrong message that drugs are acceptable 
by their own drug use. I believe the government has an obligation to 
punish more severely those who influence the children of America by 
using or possessing drugs in their presence.
  Mr. Speaker, the Save Our Children Act, which I am introducing today, 
sends a strong message that drug use or possession of drugs around 
children will not be tolerated. Under current law, there are enhanced 
penalties for the distribution of a controlled substance to persons 
under age 21 by persons over age 18 (21 U.S.C. 859); employment of 
persons under age 18 for violation of the Controlled Substance Act or 
unauthorized distribution to a pregnant individual (21 U.S.C. 861) and 
distribution or manufacturing of a controlled substance in or near 
schools, colleges or youth-centered recreational facilities (21 U.S.C. 
860).
  The Save Our Children Act, Mr. Speaker, fills a gap in our Sentencing 
Guidelines by directing the U.S. Sentencing Commission to enhance the 
sentences for the commission of a drug offense in the presence of a 
minor. While the Sentencing Commission is given discretion to amend the 
Sentencing Guidelines, the Save Our Children Act sets a minimum of two 
offense levels greater or 1 year whichever is greater for the first 
offense, and 4 offense levels greater or 2 years for a second offense.
  I urge all my colleagues to consider becoming a cosponsor of my 
legislation.

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