[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 256--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF ``NATIONAL DRUG 
                 FACTS CHAT DAY'' ON NOVEMBER 10, 2009

  Mr. LEVIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 256

       Whereas the National Institute on Drug Abuse created 
     ``National Drug Facts Chat Day'' to provide the opportunity 
     for school-aged youth and teachers in classrooms across the 
     United States to ask questions of the Nation's leading 
     experts in the field of drug abuse and addiction;
       Whereas on October 12, 2007, the first annual Drug Facts 
     Chat Day yielded over 35,000 questions from school-aged youth 
     across the United States, providing accurate information on 
     drug abuse and addiction;
       Whereas the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 
     indicated that, in 2007, nearly 8 percent of youth in the 
     United States between 12 and 17 years of age met diagnostic 
     criteria for abuse or dependence (addiction) to illegal drugs 
     or alcohol;
       Whereas the Monitoring the Future Study has yielded 
     encouraging news of generally declining past-month illicit 
     drug use rates for school-aged youth, noting a 24 percent 
     decline from 2001 to 2008 by students in the 8th, 10th, and 
     12th grades combined;
       Whereas declines in youth cigarette smoking, now at its 
     lowest rate since the Monitoring the Future Survey began 
     collecting data in 1975, will translate into fewer deaths 
     associated with the myriad medical consequences of smoking;
       Whereas while progress continues to be made, troubling 
     trends still abound, including widespread abuse of 
     prescription drugs among youth in the United States;
       Whereas research shows that as the perceived risks 
     associated with drugs increases, the abuse of such drugs 
     decreases;
       Whereas youth often get information about drugs, drug 
     abuse, and addiction from unreliable and inaccurate sources; 
     and
       Whereas ``National Drug Facts Chat Day'' is on November 10, 
     2009: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the importance of ``National Drug Facts Chat 
     Day''; and
       (2) urges teachers, schools, and students to participate by 
     submitting questions and using the information provided to 
     increase their understanding of the science of drug abuse and 
     addiction among school-aged youth.

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the National Drug Facts Chat Day was 
designed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National 
Institute of Health, NIDA, to provide the opportunity for school-aged 
youth and teachers in classrooms across the U.S. to ask questions of 
the Nation's leading experts in the field of drug abuse and addiction.
  One of the many activities on this occasion involves students and 
teachers interacting with professionals, including exchanging questions 
with them on the issues of illicit drug use, tobacco use, and 
prescription drug abuse, the latter of which has become a significant 
problem among our Nation's teens. NIDA hopes that ``the anonymous 
nature of the Internet will encourage youths to ask what is truly on 
their minds.
  Now in its third year, there are expected to be thousands of 
questions from every region of the country received and answered, 
yielding an enlightening glimpse into students' misconceptions about 
drug use. Students and teachers hunger for straightforward, scientific 
information on drug abuse and addiction. Drug Facts Chat Day, 
recognized on November 10, 2009, will provide them with timely, 
straightforward facts.
  I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in supporting 
recognition of this innovative and worthwhile program by adopting this 
resolution. I am very pleased that Representative Patrick Kennedy is 
simultaneously introducing a companion resolution in the House. As we 
are all aware, Representative Kennedy has been a passionate leader in 
increasing the understanding of the science of drug abuse and addiction 
among school-aged youth.

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