[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.

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    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.