    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 14, 2001]
    [Pages 1519-1522]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing Legislation To Reauthorize Drug-Free Communities
    Programs
    December 14, 2001

        Thank you all very much. It's an honor to be here. Let me first say,
    we're winning. We've got a new war, and I want you to know your
    Government is doing everything we can to defeat those who hate freedom.
    We will defeat them abroad, thanks to a fabulous military. We are
    patient. We're relentless, because our cause is just, and it

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    is noble. Plus we're doing everything we can at home to prevent the
    enemy from hitting us again.
        There's another war at home, too, and that's to win the war against
    the scourge of drugs. I'm so glad--it's an honor to be introduced by
    America's new Director of National Drug Policy Council. John
    Walters brings a passionate concern and a
    strong background to the fight against drugs. In the late 1980s, he was
    one of the architects of the Federal Government's most successful
    antidrug policies. And he'll lead our administration's effort with
    determination and intelligence, with resolve and moral clarity. I am
    proud to have John as a member of my Cabinet.
        And I'm honored to speak to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
    America. I want to thank you all for being here. You're a part of
    America's armies of compassion, examples of service and citizenship. You
    restore hope to lives and safety to neighborhoods. All Americans admire
    your dedication. And the bill that I will soon sign will strengthen your
    work. We share an important commitment: For the sake of our children and
    for the good of our Nation, we will reduce drug use in America. I want
    to thank General Art Dean for being the CEO
    of this important group of soldiers in the armies of compassion.
        I want to thank the three Members of the United States Congress who
    stand up here with me today, leaders in this important effort, not only
    leaders in Washington but, as you'll soon hear, leaders in the
    communities in which they live. Thank you so much for being here.
        Drug use threatens everything--everything--that is best about our
    country. It breaks the bonds between parents and children. It turns
    productive citizens into addicts. It transforms schools into places of
    violence and chaos. It makes playgrounds into crime scenes. It supports
    gangs here at home.
        And abroad, it's so important for Americans to know that the traffic
    in drugs finances the work of terror, sustaining terrorists--terrorists
    use drug profits to fund their cells to commit acts of murder. If you
    quit drugs, you join the fight against terror in America.
        And above all, we must reduce drug use for one great moral reason:
    Over time, drugs rob men, women, and children of their dignity and of
    their character. Illegal drugs are the enemies of ambition and hope. And
    when we fight against drugs, we fight for the souls of our fellow
    Americans.
        And in this struggle, we know what works. We must aggressively and
    unabashedly teach our children the dangers of drugs. We must
    aggressively treat addiction wherever we find it. And we must
    aggressively enforce the laws against drugs at our borders and in our
    communities.
        America cannot pick and choose between these goals. All are
    necessary if any are to be effective. And my administration will pursue
    these goals with energy and focus and strong commitment. It's important
    for the future of this country that we do so.
        This comprehensive approach has been tried before, and it's worked.
    From the mid eighties to the early nineties, drug use amongst high
    school seniors was reduced each and every year. Progress was steady and,
    over time, dramatic. Yet recently, we've lost ground in this important
    battle.
        According to the most recent data, the percentage of 12th graders
    using an illicit drug in the previous month rose from less than 15
    percent in 1992 to about 25 percent in the year 2000. Over the same
    period, the percentage of 10th graders using an illicit drug in the
    previous month rose from 11 percent to more than 22 percent. Marijuana
    use amongst eighth graders rose, while their perceptions of the dangers
    of marijuana use fell. There was a similar decrease in the perception of
    risk involved with LSD and powder and crack cocaine.
        Behind these numbers are countless personal tragedies, and my
    administration will not be indifferent to them. We must return

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    the fight against drugs to the center of our national agenda. And as we
    win this fight, America will be a more hopeful place. And as we battle
    against a major, significant problem in America and show progress, this
    country's promise will be more available to more of our citizens.
        It's a national imperative that we win. And I understand that you
    all are amongst the most important allies we have to achieve this goal.
    You've got a track record of success. You sponsor drug education
    programs and youth summits and parent training courses. You support drug
    intervention programs and foster great counseling services. You're
    helping to build a culture of responsibility, one that respects the law,
    one that teaches our children right from wrong, and one that strengthens
    our commitments to our fellow citizens.
        In Troy, Michigan, the Troy Community Coalition for the Prevention
    of Drug and Alcohol Abuse is building leadership skills to help teens to
    say no to drugs and alcohol. As a result, alcohol use among high
    schoolers has declined in dramatic fashion. I want to thank Sandy
    Levin, the Congressman from the great State
    of Michigan, who is on the stage with us, for helping lead that effort.
    And I want to thank the good people from Troy, Michigan, for standing up
    and doing what's right for your community.
        I'm particularly proud that the coalition's leader, Mary Ann
    Solberg, has agreed to join John
    Walters as the Deputy Director of the National
    Drug Control Policy. Now that you have your uniform on, go get them.
    [Laughter]
        Also on the stage with us is Congressman Rob Portman, who is the President of the Coalition for a Drug-Free
    Greater Cincinnati, a winner of CADCA's Outstanding Coalition Award. I
    understand this program well because I saw it first hand in Cincinnati.
    I want to thank Rob for his leadership.
        I appreciate this coalition's practical approach, by providing tips
    to parents on how to deal with drug use, provide financial incentives to
    businesses that have drug-free workplace programs. And the most
    aggressive antidrug media campaign is in Cincinnati, for a market its
    size. The result is that for the first time in a decade, teen drug use
    in greater Cincinnati is beginning to level off. They're making great
    progress in that important city. It goes to show what happens when our
    Nation invigorates the grassroots to deal with a problem that we must
    solve, early, before it is too late.
        And also on this stage is the fine United States Senator from the
    State of Iowa, Chuck Grassley. He's
    worked with the people of Iowa to begin what they call the Face It
    Together Coalition, the first ever statewide antidrug coalition led by a
    United States Senator. The coalition has a comprehensive workplace drug
    education program. It works with coalitions around the State for best
    practices for community-based antidrug efforts. It conducts workshops to
    train faith-based leaders on effective drug prevention strategies.
        Senator Grassley, I appreciate you
    taking the lead. It's a hard job being a Senator, but it's easy to
    forget the community responsibilities when you get elected to such a
    high office as Senator. And yet this Senator never forgot where he came
    from. This Senator asked a question, ``What can I do?''--just like you
    asked that question, ``What can I do?''--to improve the lives of the
    citizens of a State he so dearly loves. And he chose to fight, stand
    side by side with the good citizens of Iowa to fight drug use. And Mr.
    Senator, thank you for your leadership.
        I'm so happy to be able to sign an important piece of legislation in
    your presence. The bill I sign today increases the total amount of funds
    authorized for programs like the ones we just described, from more than
    $50 million a year in the current fiscal year to nearly $100 million by
    the year 2007. It allows coalitions to reapply for

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    grants even after 5 years, as long--[applause]--make sure you meet your
    matching fund requirement. [Laughter]
        It instructs Director Walters to focus the
    greatest resources on areas of the greatest needs, by giving priority to
    coalitions that serve economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The
    reauthorization bill creates a new class of grants that will help
    established coalitions assist new ones, assist new folks on how to
    battle this scourge called drug use. And the bill creates a National
    Community Antidrug Coalition Institute to provide education and training
    and technical assistance to coalitions all throughout our country.
        There are other steps we must take. Many of you are working with
    faith-based institutions, because you've seen the power of faith to
    transform lives. Last month, the National Center on Addiction and
    Substance Abuse at Columbia University, led by Joe Califano, released a report on substance abuse,
    religion, and spirituality. The report found that ``religion and
    spirituality can play a powerful role in the prevention and treatment of
    substance abuse and on the maintenance of sobriety.''
        My armies-of-compassion legislation will provide support to faith-
    based institutions working to prevent and treat drug abuse. The House
    passed this legislation. I urge the Senate to do so. This Nation must
    not fear faith-based programs; we must welcome them. We must welcome
    anybody who is willing to join in this important goal and in this
    important cause.
        We've got a responsibility here in Washington to lead the fight
    against drug abuse. But we understand here that one of the best ways to
    do so is to support the people in the neighborhoods, on the streets, the
    community coalitions which are truly the frontline in our battle to save
    people's lives. You've devoted your lives to the well-being of others,
    and for this I'm incredibly grateful. On behalf of all Americans, thank
    you for your compassion; thank you for your concern; thank you for your
    love for your country and your fellow human being.
        And now it is my honor to invite Director Walters and General Dean, along with
    the sponsors of this important piece of legislation, to join me as I
    sign this bill.
        May God bless you all, and may God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:25 p.m. in the Regency Ballroom at the
    Omni Shoreham Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Maj. Gen. Arthur T.
    Dean, USA (Ret.), chairman and chief executive officer, Community Anti-
    Drug Coalitions of America; and Joseph A. Califano, Jr., chairman and
    president, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia
    University. H.R. 2291, approved December 14, was assigned Public Law No.
    107-82.