[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 175 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13355-S13356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to provide a perspective 
on the recent Senate confirmation of John Walters to the position of 
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In the coming 
months, I intend to raise certain issues with Mr. Walters regarding his 
stated positions about the priorities of his office as it deals with 
our country's domestic drug policy, and I hope my colleagues will do 
the same.
  First, I urge President Bush and Mr. Walters to keep their public 
commitment to focus on the severe addiction problems faced in our own 
country and to significantly improve the infrastructure of private and 
public drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs. On May 10, 
2001, President Bush made a firm public commitment to invest an 
additional $1.6 billion in new funding for drug and alcohol treatment 
over the next five years. Investing in drug and alcohol treatment is 
not only a critically important public health priority that will save 
the lives of millions Americans across this nation, it will also save 
tax dollars. Research has shown that health care, child welfare, and 
criminal justice costs decrease, and the productivity of individuals 
who receive proper treatment helps improve the health and the economy 
of our country as they return to work, pay taxes, and care for their 
families.
  In addition to investing in public funding, John Walters and the 
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy should support the 
passage of full addiction treatment parity legislation so that private 
insurance can be the first line of defense for the millions of 
Americans who are employed, have health care, but are struggling with 
the disease of addiction, and are routinely denied adequate care. By 
contrast, federal employees enjoy full treatment parity for addiction 
treatment, and it is time for the rest of Americans to have this health 
care benefit as well. President Bush and John Walters should continue 
the support for improving private insurance coverage by supporting 
passage of full substance abuse parity legislation.
  Strengthening the drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services 
has taken on greater importance in the aftermath of the tragedies of 
September 11th. Stress and trauma associated with these event, and the 
ensuing international events and economic downturn will continue to 
strain the personal, psychological, and economic resources of 
individuals and families across our nation. Unfortunately many of them 
will turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with these pressures, 
and may develop serious addiction disorders. In a special report issued 
in response to the terrorist attacks, the National Institute on Drug 
Abuse reviewed the research literature and reported that, ``Stress is 
one of the most powerful triggers for relapse in addicted individuals, 
even after long periods of abstinence. . . . Studies have reported that 
individuals exposed to stress are more likely to abuse alcohol and 
other drugs or undergo relapse.'' Researchers funded by the National 
Institute on Drug Abuse have reported increases in the street sales of 
drugs in New York City after the events of September 11th. Reports from 
drug treatment and prevention providers across the nation have shown an 
increase in the need for treatment and prevention services following 
these recent events.
  Working to destigmatize the disease of addiction so that individuals 
who suffer from this disease will seek treatment is imperative. 
Americans will be looking to the President and John Walters as the 
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to provide the 
leadership and to shape this message to the country that addiction can 
be successfully treatment, and to support this message by providing 
adequate funding. I urge John Walters to find innovative ways for the 
Office of National Drug Control Policy to work closely with recovering 
communities, national organizations, state associations of treatment 
and prevention providers, anti-drug coalitions, families, employers, 
and other community leaders to reduce stigma and promote recovery, 
treatment, and prevention nationwide.
  Finally, President Bush has nominated a highly qualified individual, 
Dr. Andrea Barthwell, to serve as the Deputy Director for Demand 
Reduction for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Dr. Barthwell 
is extraordinarily qualified for this position and the Administration 
would be fortunate to have her expertise readily available as the lead 
White House advisor on domestic drug and alcohol treatment and 
prevention issues. In addition to being a physician who has long 
practiced addiction medicine, Dr. Barthwell presently serves as the 
President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is on the 
board of three federal advisory committees for the National Institute 
on Drug Abuse, the

[[Page S13356]]

Food and Drug Administration, and the Center for Substance Abuse 
Treatment. Dr. Barthwell also has worked with policy makers at the 
highest levels of state and federal government. I urge the Senate to 
confirm Dr. Barthwell's nomination as soon as possible. Her 
contributions will be invaluable as the White House implements the 
President's addiction treatment expansion initiative, one which could 
go a long way to help our country effectively deal with the serious 
domestic drug addiction problem that it faces.

                          ____________________