[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H488-H489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




1999 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 
                             UNITED STATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message 
from the President of the United States; which was read and, together 
with the accompanying papers, without objection, referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee 
on Armed Services, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the 
Committee on Commerce, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 
the Committee on Government Reform, the Committee on International 
Relations, the Committee on Resources, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and the 
Committee on Ways and Means:

To the Congress of the United States:
  On behalf of the American people, I am pleased to transmit the 1999 
National Drug Control Strategy to the Congress. This Strategy renews 
and advances our efforts to counter the threat of drugs--a threat that 
continues to cost our Nation over 14,000 lives and billions of dollars 
each year.
  There is some encouraging progress in the struggle against drugs. The 
1998 Monitoring the Future study found that youth drug use has leveled 
off and in many instances is on the decline--the second straight year 
of progress after years of steady increases. The study also found a 
significant strengthening of youth attitudes toward drugs: young people 
increasingly perceive drug use as a risky and unacceptable behavior. 
The rate of drug-related murders continues to decline, down from 1,302 
in 1992 to 786 in 1997. Overseas, we have witnessed a decline in 
cocaine production by 325 metric tons in Bolivia and Peru over the last 
4 years. Coca cultivation in Peru plunged 56 percent since 1995.
  Nevertheless, drugs still exact a tremendous toll on this Nation. In 
a 10-year period, over 100,000 Americans will

[[Page H489]]

die from drug use. The social costs of drug use continue to climb, 
reaching $110 billion in 1995, a 64 percent increase since 1990. Much 
of the economic burden of drug abuse falls on those who do not abuse 
drugs--American families and their communities. Although we have made 
progress, much remains to be done.
  The 1999 National Drug Control Strategy provides a comprehensive 
balanced approach to move us closer to a drug-free America. This 
Strategy presents a long-term plan to change American attitudes and 
behavior with regard to illegal drugs. Among the efforts this Strategy 
focuses on are:
  --Educating children: studies demonstrate that when our children 
    understand the dangers of drugs, their rates of drug use drop. 
    Through the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, the Safe and 
    Drug Free Schools Program and other efforts, we will continue to 
    focus on helping our youth reject drugs.
  --Decreasing the addicted population: the addicted make up roughly a 
    quarter of all drug users, but consume two-thirds of all drugs in 
    America. Our strategy for reducing the number of addicts focuses on 
    closing the ``treatment gap.''
  --Breaking the cycle of drugs and crime: numerous studies confirm 
    that the vast majority of prisoners commit their crimes to buy 
    drugs or while under the influence of drugs. To help break this 
    link between crime and drugs, we must promote the Zero Tolerance 
    Drug Supervision initiative to better keep offenders drug- and 
    crime-free. We can do this by helping States and localities to 
    implement tough new systems to drug test, treat, and punish 
    prisoners, parolees, and probationers.
  --Securing our borders: the vast majority of drugs consumed in the 
    United States enter this Nation through the Southwest border, 
    Florida, the Gulf States, and other border areas and air and sea 
    ports of entry. The flow of drugs into this Nation violates our 
    sovereignty and brings crime and suffering to our streets and 
    communities. We remain committed to, and will expand, efforts to 
    safeguard our borders from drugs.
  --Reducing the supply of drugs: we must reduce the availability of 
    drugs and the ease with which they can be obtained. Our efforts to 
    reduce the supply of drugs must target both domestic and overseas 
    production of these deadly substances.
  Our ability to attain these objectives is dependent upon the 
collective will of the American people and the strength of our 
leadership. The progress we have made to date is a credit to Americans 
of all walks of life--State and local leaders, parents, teachers, 
coaches, doctors, police officers, and clergy. Many have taken a stand 
against drugs. These gains also result from the leadership and hard 
work of many, including Attorney General Reno, Secretary of Health and 
Human Services Shalala, Secretary of Education Riley, Treasury 
Secretary Rubin, and Drug Policy Director McCaffrey. I also thank the 
Congress for their past and future support. If we are to make further 
progress, we must maintain a bipartisan commitment to the goals of the 
Strategy.
  As we enter the new millennium, we are reminded of our common 
obligation to build and leave for coming generations a stronger Nation. 
Our National Drug Control Strategy will help create a safer, healthier 
future for all Americans.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, February 8, 1999.

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