[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONTRIBUTION OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TO FIGHTING ILLEGAL DRUGS

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 4, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the California 
National Guard for its vital contribution in helping to reduce drug use 
among our youth. Throughout the United States the National Guard 
frequently assists local law enforcement agencies in their fight 
against illicit drugs, and often Guard members risk their lives to 
provide necessary support for local law enforcement agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, the California National Guard performs a variety of 
tasks and missions in support of local law enforcement agencies. One 
program in particular that I wish to call to the attention of my 
colleagues is the Guard's educational efforts as part of ``Red Ribbon 
Week,'' a nationwide effort to focus on drug awareness and education 
during the last of October. Since 1988, the California National Guard 
has been an active participant in Red Ribbon Week. This highly 
successful program was started initially to commemorate the life of 
Drug Enforcement Agency officer Enrique (``Kiki'') Camerena, an 
undercover narcotics agents who was brutally murdered by illegal drug 
traffickers. To mark his death and honor his life, the week of October 
23-31 has been designated Red Ribbon Week. Across the nation, federal 
and local law enforcement agencies spend the week participating in a 
variety of programs to educate children about the perils of drug use.
  The California National Guard has been such an active participant in 
Red Ribbon Week and its efforts have generated such interest in the 
program that the Guard has expanded Red Ribbon Week into Red Ribbon 
Month in order to respond to the numerous requests for education 
programs. The California Guard uses the power of positive role models 
to encourage choosing a drug-free lifestyle. I can only imagine the 
incredibly positive affect that a helicopter pilot has on young 
childred after they witness the landing of his or her helicopter on the 
school grounds. Other positive Guard efforts include chaperoning 
education retreats and speaking at schools.
  Mr. Speaker, the California National Guard's involvement in Red 
Ribbon Month is only one aspect of its participation in the battle 
against illicit drug use. The National Guard participates in the two 
pronged attack to reduce drug use in our country--simultaneously 
attacking supply and demand. The Drug Demand Reduction Program (DDR) 
focuses on education and information about the effects of narcotic use 
so that individuals will be less likely to turn to drugs. The Guard 
implements this program through its education work with school 
children. Already in this year alone, members of the California 
National Guard have spoken to 123,550 people, 82% of them school-age 
children and 74% of them in the 8th grade or below. This is 
particularly important, Mr. Speaker, because studies have shown that 
the earlier you teach children the dangers of drug use, the greater the 
chance that the child will embrace that message.
  The second element of the California Guard's anti-drug program 
involves removing the supply of drugs from our streets. To this end, 
the Guard provides support and assistance to local law enforcement 
agencies in getting the drugs off of the streets. From flight 
surveillance to assisting local police officers in raids of 
methamphetamine plants, the California Guard has been involved in 
numerous seizures of illegal narcotics. This past year alone, in 
actions supported by the California Guard, law enforcement officials 
have seized over 8,100 lbs. of cocaine, 750 lbs. of heroin, 1,800 lbs. 
of methamphetamine, 360 lbs. of opium, 414,677 marijuana plants and 261 
lbs. of processed marijuana.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
the vital efforts of the California National Guard in reducing illicit 
drugs on our streets and educating of our youth about the perils of 
drug use. Thanks to their diligent efforts, our state and our nation 
are a better place.

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