[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                READJUSTING GLOBAL MILITARY FORCE POLICY

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, debate concerning drugs and drug 
policy has reached new levels. The letters and phone calls which my 
office receive are a constant reminder that the influx of drugs into 
this country are at the top of constituents' concerns. Our fight 
against drugs exists on two fronts. Within our border we must educate 
our young about the dangers of drugs in an effort to reduce demand.
  Along our borders there exists another battle. This battle, to keep 
drugs from entering the U.S. has become increasingly difficult as drug 
runners have been employing more sophisticated technologies and 
techniques. Small planes are using remote landing strips to ferry drugs 
across the border. In the Caribbean traffickers are using high-speed 
boats to escape the Coast Guard. I need not reiterate how these 
preexisting conditions are straining the effort of our front-line law 
enforcement people on the border. As the methods which drug traffickers 
along the Mexican border continue to improve, we are beginning to lose 
ground in our ``War on Drugs.'' This current predicament calls for an 
increasing and appropriate role for the U.S. military.
  In recognition of this need, I am joining with Senator DeWine amd 
Senator Graham in sponsoring an amendment which, has been accepted, to 
the Department of Defense reauthorization bill. This amendment calls 
upon the Secretary of Defense to add drug interdiction and counter-drug 
activities under military operations other than war, in the Global 
Military Force Policy. This would effectively give counter-drug efforts 
greater priority than military exercises. In addition, it would come at 
no extra cost to the taxpayer. Military resources such as AWAC's and 
other military hardware would be reallocated and instead of being sent 
out on exercises, they would be used to detect and intercept drug 
traffickers.
  Elevating the priority of drug interdiction within the Global 
Military Force Policy is necessary in helping stem the flow of illegal 
drugs into this country. In conclusion, if we are to ``get tough on 
drugs'' in the face of increasingly modernizing drug trade, we must 
seek to incorporate the U.S. military in our effort.

                          ____________________