[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 (H.R. 2829).
  I am proud to have been involved in the creation of the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in 1988. Legislation I introduced 
became part of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which created the 
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
  Along with creating the office of the White House ``Drug Czar,'' my 
legislation also permitted the U.S. military to help interdict drugs, 
called for the seizure of aircraft involved in drug smuggling, sped up 
the interdiction of foreign vessels carrying drugs, required minimum 
sentences for crack cocaine users, and required drug testing of key 
transportation workers.
  The ONDCP is responsible for establishing policies, priorities, and 
objectives for our nation's drug control program. The reauthorization 
of ONDCP and its programs are essential to continue the reduction of 
illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime 
and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
  The ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006 improves the ONDCP and its 
programs in many important ways. The bill requires that the Director of 
ONDCP to have the same rank and status as other executive department 
heads. This will ensure that the ``Drug Czar'' will be able to interact 
with other executive department heads to coordinate with them on anti-
drug policies and programs.
  The bill also preserves and strengthens the High-Intensity Drug 
Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The HIDTA program is ONDCP's 
principal law enforcement program.
  Two counties in my district, Broward and Palm Beach, are part of the 
South Florida HIDTA. The mission of the South Florida HIDTA is to 
measurably reduce drug trafficking, related money laundering, violent 
crime and drug abuse in South Florida, thereby reducing the impact of 
illicit drugs in other areas of the country. The extensive shoreline of 
the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys, combined with 3 major 
seaports and a close proximity to the Caribbean basin, make South 
Florida a prime target for maritime smuggling operations.
  The South Florida HIDTA designation makes the local law enforcement 
agencies in Broward and Palm Beach Counties eligible for federal grant 
funding in order to facilitate the attack and the dismantling of high-
value drug trafficking and related money laundering and violent crime 
organizations working throughout South Florida.
  Mr. Chairman reauthorizing the ONDCP and it's programs will help us 
stay ahead of the war on drugs and drug abuse. I urge my colleagues to 
support the bill.

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