[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 56 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL GUARD COUNTERDRUG MISSION

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Caucus on 
International Narcotics Control, I rise to commend the counterdrug 
efforts of the National Guard. The National Guard performs vital work 
to assist law enforcement with interdiction/eradication operations, 
including the manufacture, sale, use and importation, and demand 
reduction for drugs throughout our country.
  Every day the National Guard has approximately 3,600 personnel on 
duty performing counterdrug work. The National Guard supports the 
President's counterdrug priorities, with special emphasis along the 
Southwest Border and designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas 
(HIDTAs). In addition, the Governor of each State can assign the 
National Guard to unique local issues. Skills the National Guard brings 
include personnel, specialized vehicles and military equipment, 
logistical support, thermal imaging, intelligence analysis, 
translation, searching cargo containers at ports of entry, and 
listening/observation posts. Federal agencies typically supported 
include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI), the Customs Service, and the Border Patrol, while 
State and local agencies include highway patrols, country sheriffs, and 
local police departments.
  The Department of Defense is prohibited by U.S. Code Title 10, under 
the Posse Comitatus Act, from military personnel enforcing State and 
local laws. The National Guard, under its United States Code Title 32 
status, does not have this prohibition, although National Guard 
regulations do not allow direct involvement in law enforcement, such as 
arrest, apprehension, search and seizure. Since 1988, the Governor of 
each State submits a plan each year to the Department of Defense 
outlining the proposed use of the National Guard in support of 
counterdrug efforts. Currently, about 50 percent of the requests are 
able to be funded.
  The National Guard also has an active demand reduction mission geared 
to helping youth avoid starting to use illegal drugs. These programs 
include involvement in schools and working with parent and community 
based anti-drug organizations. National Guard personnel serve as 
excellent citizen-soldier role models and also assist with mentoring, 
speakers bureaus, Adopt-A-School, Red Ribbon, and PRIDE events. Last 
year the National Guard had contact with tens of thousands of youth.
  I am proud of the role the National Guard and its citizen-soldiers 
performs in our vital counterdrug programs.

                          ____________________