    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [February 8, 1999]
    [Pages 180-181]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the 1999 National Drug Control
    Strategy
    February 8, 1999

    To the Congress of the United States:
        On behalf of the American people, I am pleased to transmit the 1999
    National Drug Control Strategy to the Congress. This Strategy renews and
    advances our efforts to counter the threat of drugs--a threat that
    continues to cost our Nation over 14,000 lives and billions of dollars
    each year.
        There is some encouraging progress in the struggle against drugs.
    The 1998 Monitoring the Future study found that youth drug use has
    leveled off and in many instances is on the decline--the second straight
    year of progress after years of steady increases. The study also found a
    significant strengthening of youth attitudes toward drugs: young people
    increasingly perceive drug use as a risky and unacceptable behavior. The
    rate of drug-related murders continue to decline, down from 1,302 in
    1992 to 786 in 1997. Overseas, we have witnessed a decline in cocaine
    production by 325 metric tons in Bolivia and Peru over the last 4 years.
    Coca cultivation in Peru plunged 56 percent since 1995.
        Nevertheless, drugs still exact a tremendous toll on this Nation. In
    a 10-year period, 100,000 Americans will die from drug use. The social
    costs of drug use continue to climb, reaching $110 billion in 1995, a 64
    percent increase since 1990. Much of the economic burden of drug abuse
    falls on those who do not abuse drugs--American families and their
    communities. Although we have made progress, much remains to be done.
        The 1999 National Drug Control Strategy provides a comprehensive
    balanced approach to move us closer to a drug-free America. This
    Strategy presents a long-term plan to change American attitudes and
    behavior with regard to illegal drugs. Among the efforts this Strategy
    focuses on are:

        Educating children: studies demonstrate that when our
                children understand the dangers of drugs, their rates of
                drug use drop. Through the National Youth Anti-Drug Media
                Campaign, the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program and other
                efforts, we will continue to focus on helping our youth
                reject drugs.
        Decreasing the addicted population: the addicted make up
                roughly a quarter of all drug users, but consume two-thirds
                of all drugs in America. Our strategy for reducing the
                number of addicts focuses on closing the ``treatment gap.''
        Breaking the cycle of drugs and crime: numerous studies
                confirm that the vast majority of prisoners commit their
                crimes to buy drugs or while under the influence of drugs.
                To help break this link between crime and drugs, we must
                promote the Zero Tolerance Drug Supervision initiative to
                better keep offenders drug- and crime-free. We can do this
                by helping States and localities to implement tough new
                systems to drug test, treat, and punish prisoners, parolees,
                and probationers.
        Securing our borders: the vast majority of drugs consumed in
                the United States enter this Nation through the Southwest
                border, Florida, the Gulf States, and other border areas and
                air and sea ports of entry. The flow of drugs into this
                Nation violates our sovereignty and brings crime and
                suffering to our streets and communities. We remain
                committed to, and will expand, efforts to safeguard our
                borders from drugs.

    [[Page 181]]

        Reducing the supply of drugs: we must reduce the
                availability of drugs and the ease with which they can be
                obtained. Our efforts to reduce the supply of drugs must
                target both domestic and overseas production of these deadly
                substances.

        Our ability to attain these objectives is dependent upon the
    collective will of the American people and the strength of our
    leadership. The progress we have made to date is a credit to Americans
    of all walks of life--State and local leaders, parents, teachers,
    coaches, doctors, police officers, and clergy. Many have taken a stand
    against drugs. These gains also result from the leadership and hard work
    of many, including Attorney General Reno,
    Secretary of Health and Human Services Shalala, Secretary of Education Riley,
    Treasury Secretary Rubin, and Drug Policy
    Director McCaffrey. I also thank the
    Congress for their past and future support. If we are to make further
    progress, we must maintain a bipartisan commitment to the goals of the
    Strategy.
        As we enter the new millennium, we are reminded of our common
    obligation to build and leave for coming generations a stronger Nation.
    Our National Drug Control Strategy will help create a safer, healthier
    future for all Americans.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    February 8, 1999.