[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 35 (Monday, September 4, 2000)]
[Page 1987]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

August 31, 2000

    Today's 1999 National Household Survey demonstrates that we are 
continuing to move in the right direction on the problem of youth drug 
and tobacco use in America. The report released by Department of Health 
and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Office of National Drug 
Control Policy Director Barry McCaffrey shows that last year illicit 
drug use by young people ages 12-17 declined for the third year in a 
row. Since 1997, overall youth drug use is down by more than 20 percent, 
and youth marijuana use has declined by over 25 percent. In addition, 
while today's report shows underage alcohol use is still at unacceptable 
levels, it also shows that tobacco use among young people is beginning 
to decline significantly, following a period of increases earlier in the 
1990's.
    These findings prove that we are successfully reversing dangerous 
trends and making important progress. However, none of us can afford to 
let down our guard in the fight against drug, tobacco, and alcohol 
abuse--especially when it comes to our children. While we must continue 
to engage communities, parents, teachers, and young people in our 
efforts to drive youth drug and tobacco use down to even lower levels, 
Congress must also play an important role.
    When Congress returns to Washington, I urge them to build on our 
success by fully funding my administration's substance abuse prevention 
and treatment initiatives, including the Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, 
which is sending a powerful message to young people across the nation 
about the dangers of drugs. Congress should also join Vice President 
Gore and me in making the health of our children a priority by rejecting 
the interests of big tobacco and letting the American taxpayers have 
their day in court. Working together, we can give our children healthy 
drug- and tobacco-free futures.