[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2230-S2231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DRUG FREE CENTURY ACT

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to join the 
distinguished Senator from Ohio and a number of my colleagues in 
supporting the Drug Free Century Act. This bill continues last year's 
efforts in the fight against drug use in our country in the form of the 
Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act, the Drug Free Communities Act, 
and the Drug Demand Reduction Act, all of which I supported.
  During my tenure in office I have read, listened to, and weighed the 
debate over illegal drug use and the policy our nation should follow in 
dealing with illegal drugs. In an attempt to put an end to that growing 
problem, I signed onto the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act. 
This act was a bipartisan piece of legislation that authorized $2.6 
billion over three years for drug eradication and interdiction efforts 
designed to restore a balanced anti-drug strategy. It offered 
significant promises for the reduction of the supply of coca and opium 
poppy in Latin America, as well as improving intelligence and 
interdiction capabilities against the national security threat posed by 
major narcotics trafficking organizations.
  Although this bill received bipartisan support and was signed by the 
President, the FY2000 anti-drug budget was cut by the Administration by 
almost $100 million below that appropriated in FY1999. I ask you, Mr. 
President, what kind of signal are we sending to our nation's youth if 
we allow this to happen? We in Congress took the necessary steps last 
year in restoring a balanced, coordinated anti-drug strategy. We must 
continue our efforts and we must impress upon the Administration the 
commitment needed in order to carry out that strategy.
  My colleague has pointed out that drug use and criminal activity 
since 1992 wiped out any gains made in the previous decade. America has 
witnessed an increase in illegal drug use

[[Page S2231]]

among our nation's younger generation. Recent polls show that drug use 
among our nation's eighth graders has increased 71 percent since 1992. 
We have seen a reverse in gains made in the 1980s and early 1990s by 
de-emphasizing law enforcement and interdiction while relying on drug 
treatment programs for hard-core abusers in the hopes of curbing drug 
usage.
  In Montana alone, drug use among high school-aged youth has also 
risen. According to the Montana Office of Public Instruction's Youth 
Risk Behavior Survey, marijuana use among high school aged youth has 
risen approximately 18% since 1993. However, that 18% only represents 
an increase in one time use by teenagers. In fact, the same survey 
suggests that the percent of adolescents who have used marijuana 
repeatedly in the last 30 days has risen by 13%. But it isn't just 
marijuana use that has increased, Mr. President. No. In fact, a more 
deadlier drug, cocaine, is increasing in use among Montana teens. 
Approximately 5% according to the survey. This is the sad trend that 
our nation's youth is following, and the reason we in Congress need to 
make a strong statement against drug use. I believe that The Drug Free 
Century Act is such a statement.
  The Drug Free Century Act is a comprehensive approach to the nation's 
anti-drug policies. It strengthens education, treatment, law 
enforcement, and drug interdiction efforts. Although it is only the 
first step in our anti-drug strategy, it sends a clear message to the 
nation and our youth that we are committed to eliminating illegal drugs 
in the United States.

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