    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 31, 1991]
    [Pages 86-88]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a White House Briefing on the 1991 National Drug Control
    Strategy
    January 31, 1991

        Thank you all very much. Please be seated. I wanted to come over
    here first to thank many people in this room, so many of you having in
    one way or another--directly, some indirectly--helping us formulate and
    now put into effect the National Drug Control Strategy. I know that many
    of you have been instrumental in the development and the implementation
    of it. And I really am very, very grateful to each and every one of you.
        As all of you know, our first Drug Strate-

    [[Page 87]]

    gy, released nearly a year and a half ago, recognized the need for a
    comprehensive approach. Indeed, I think it's the first time the
    Government has formulated a comprehensive approach: effective law
    enforcement, drug prevention programs for our schools and communities,
    more and increasingly effective drug treatment, coordinated border
    interdiction, and a greater role for international diplomacy.
        Our strategy is comprehensive. Our strategy is sound. Our strategy
    works. And the thrust of our strategy remains the same: cutting down the
    supply and then suppressing the demand.
        We've called on every part of the administration to work closely
    together. And that's why I was particularly pleased to be joined by
    those who are up here with me and then Judge Sessions--Bill Sessions--
    and Reg and Bill Moss and others here; Dick Thornburgh, Attorney
    General; and then Lou Sullivan on the health side, as we do put more
    emphasis on prevention and on treatment; and then John Walters, of
    course, who's doing a superb job.
        I am very pleased to report that, thanks to your efforts and the
    dedicated efforts of so many--and I was briefed yesterday on the
    volunteer aspect of this, the communities all across the country that
    are helping--I would say so many individuals and community leaders
    across the country--the signs of progress are unmistakable. The clear
    message of available data is that drug use is on the way down. Since
    I've come into office, we've seen an important and an encouraging shift
    in drug use trends.
        Last December, we came out with new data that showed that drug use
    is declining. Not only is all casual drug use down but hospitals are
    reporting fewer cocaine-related emergencies and fewer cocaine-related
    deaths. And just last week, Dr. Sullivan's HHS announced the results of
    an annual survey that showed that cocaine use among high school seniors
    is at its lowest point in years. These numbers can only bode well for
    the future. And if fewer high school seniors are using drugs today, I
    think we're going to have a lot fewer drug problems tomorrow.
        While this is welcome news, you might ask: Can we lessen our
    commitment to stopping the scourge of drugs? Can we afford to look
    elsewhere, lose interest? Can we declare victory? And, of course, the
    answer is an emphatic no.
        The strategy that we're releasing today is intended to make sure
    that the favorable trends that we've been following keep right on going
    in that same direction--down. And that's why we're putting more agents
    on the streets, hiring more prosecutors in the courtrooms, and building
    more prisons. And as we encourage more people to stop using drugs, we
    intend to provide them with more help. And I'm again requesting a
    substantial increase in Federal drug treatment spending.
        I'm particularly proud of a new $100-million proposal designed to
    expand our drug treatment capacity. And that means as many as 200,000
    more people will receive help to get off and hopefully stay off drugs
    during fiscal 1992.
        This strategy will also provide more funding for drug prevention and
    more resources for cooperative efforts with our Latin American allies
    who are helping to stop the drug trade at the source.
        In total, we're proposing a drug budget of $11.7 billion, an 11-
    percent increase over the last fiscal year and an 82-percent increase
    just since the beginning of our administration. This additional funding
    will help keep the pressure on. And I believe it persuasively
    demonstrates that our administration is committed to defeating the
    menace of drugs and that that commitment is unswerving. In fact, it is
    growing stronger, and I want to do my part in helping all of you and
    have the American people understand that.
        In our first strategy we proposed a set of ambitious 2-year
    objectives. And I'm pleased to report that we have achieved those goals;
    in some cases we've surpassed them. In this strategy we've set new and
    more ambitious goals because, as everyone knows, a drug problem
    persists, creating misery wherever it flourishes. Let me just assure
    everyone that we will go after these new goals as vigorously as we
    pursued the last ones.
        I know we're looking forward to bringing Governor Bob Martinez on
    board, taking

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    Bill Bennett's place. He has the necessary experience on the front
    lines, if you will, the necessary commitment to fully implement this
    strategy.
        In closing, again I want to thank you, the individuals who are
    helping make this strategy work, putting in the long hours and making
    everyone proud, very proud indeed, of our Federal effort.
        Thank you very much. And now I understand that John Walters will
    conduct a briefing to flesh out some of what I've said here. But I think
    the bottom line is this nation simply must succeed in this fight. And,
    you know, I expect some wonder whether I am totally preoccupied with
    events halfway around the world. And I really wanted to take this
    opportunity to come over here to you who have done so much in this fight
    to let you know you're not alone. And I will do my level best to support
    you every inch of the way.
        Thank you all very, very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 1:55 p.m. in Room 450
                            of the Old Executive Office Building. In his
                            remarks, he referred to William S. Sessions,
                            Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
                            William P. Moss, Chairman of the President's
                            Drug Advisory Council; Attorney General Dick
                            Thornburgh; Secretary of Health and Human
                            Services Louis W. Sullivan; and the following
                            officials of the Office of National Drug Control
                            Policy: Reggie B. Walton, Associate Director for
                            State and Local Affairs; John P. Walters, Chief
                            of Staff and Acting Director; Bob Martinez,
                            Director-designate; and William J. Bennett,
                            former Director.