[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ON EDUCATION AND DRUGS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, there is something missing from the recent 
education debate . . . and what is missing is President Clinton's 
record on illegal drugs and its effect on the America's education 
system.
  The media seem to buy the Democrat's claim that they care more about 
education than do Republicans. What seems to be missing from this 
debate--or what the media seems willing ignore is the fact that illegal 
drug use by school age children has doubled since President Clinton 
took office. Studies show that illegal drug use--including marijuana--
robs students of their motivation and self-esteem, leaving them unable 
to concentrate and indifferent to learning.
  There is not a parent in America who sends their children off to 
school without worrying that they will become exposed to illegal drugs. 
And it's not just teenagers anymore.
  Parents are now concerned about their 6th, 7th and 8th grade children 
getting involved with illegal drugs. Since 1992, marijuana use has 
jumped 150% among 12 and 13 year old students and 300% among high 
school students.
  For the first time, more than half of all middle-school students 
report that illegal drugs are used, kept and sold at their schools.
  During the Reagan/Bush years drug use dropped, from 24 million 
individuals using drugs in 1979 to 11 million in 1992. These hard 
fought gains were wasted by President Clinton.
  The number one reason young people drop out of school is because of 
their involvement with illegal drugs. In a study conducted among a 
sample of 9th to 11th graders, more than half of the heavy drug users 
dropped out--twice the rate of those who are drug free.
  Studies also show that students involved with drugs are four times 
more likely to receive poor grades than are drug free students. The 
rise in illegal drug use also correlates closely with rising school 
violence.
  Today in America, one third of high school students smoke pot. The 
message we need to send America's parents and grandparents in the 
education debate is that President Clinton has earned a failing grade 
in keeping illegal drugs out of the hands of their school aged children 
and grandchildren.
  You cannot claim to be an education President while ignoring rising 
illegal drug use in America's schools.

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