S9016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 TRAGEDY AT THE CENTENNIAL will—the fans. There they were. I could the United States of enormous propor- OLYMPICS not believe it. I looked up and, by the tions that are not yet, I do not believe, Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I thousands, they were walking onto the fully comprehended. Drug use among have just returned from the Centennial stadium and throughout the city to the our youth has doubled in the last 36 Olympics in my home city of Atlanta. other venues. months, ending 12 years of a continued I ask unanimous consent for a brief It will, in my judgment, be a mark of decline in drug use. moment of silence for those who died heroism, broad heroism, on a par with Mr. President, this administration, or were wounded in the bombing the the athletes themselves, because this unfortunately, has to come to terms other evening. world community gathered up and said, with this issue because it is pretty The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ‘‘No way; we will not be intimidated. clear that its decision to shut down the objection, it is so ordered. We will go on with the games.’’ Not drug office, to shut down interdiction [Moment of silence.] only did IOC proclaim the games would efforts, to dramatically curtail the war Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, we, go on—that is a statement—but the on drugs, and to the change policy re- of course, extend our grief and condo- key was that the world community garding rehabilitation has had some lences to the family of Alice Haw- said, ‘‘The games will go on.’’ The fam- very, very uncomfortable con- thorne from Albany, GA, and for Melih ilies, the children, all alike, every- sequences. Uzunyoz, a Turkish national, both of where you went, were coming out to What does it mean when you say drug whom lost their lives in a terrorist-re- say that the Centennial Olympics is use has ‘‘doubled’’? Does that mean two lated bombing that occurred at ap- bigger than this heinous act against more people use it? No. What it means proximately 1:20 a.m. the other morn- defenseless and helpless citizens. is there are 2 million American fami- ing. Also, we extend our concern and In many ways, I think it will mark a lies who have fallen victim to the trag- prayers to the 110 casualties that oc- period of great thought for us in this ic consequences of involving them- curred during the bombing and to the country. The Presiding Officer, among selves in drugs. 17 who remain in the hospital. others, is very much aware that there Mr. President, in a moment I am Mr. President, we all owe a group of has been a growing discussion and de- going to yield to the distinguished law enforcement officers a deep debt. bate. I think it probably ultimately chairman of the Judiciary Committee, The officer who spotted this bomb and will call for vaster resources, a better the senior Senator from Utah. But let his colleagues, in the face of grave dan- capacity to deal with this kind of era me say that among the data we are ger, were heroes, in every sense, of the that we approach as we come to the now discovering is the fact that our Centennial Olympics. In the face of new century. But, for a moment, I had youth currently do not see drugs as a danger themselves, they remained on a chance to personally see a broad threat to them. How could that be? site, and with every avenue available statement of valor by people from na- How could it be that the vast majority and open to them they tried to evac- tion after nation. I talked about it all of youngsters no longer see that as a uate the crowd from the area of danger. afternoon. One volunteer had been threat to them? Therefore, they are I am absolutely convinced that, with- coming in on the rapid transit system not concerned about it. Therefore, they out their diligence and duty, the cas- that morning, and the car, of course, as use it more freely. Therefore, twice the ualties would have been far, far great- you might expect, was crammed from number use it today. er. So these officers, these men and side to side with people of every na- I just have to say that over the last women, who tried to evacuate the park tion—Dutch, German, American, and several months, this cavalier attitude are due a deep debt of gratitude from the like—and the fans broke out into from the President’s press secretary all of us. song singing as they went on to the and others and the revelation about Further, the volunteers and officers venues. drug use in the White House itself—I who stayed, not knowing whether there So, again, Mr. President, our grief to mean, everybody understands the was a series of bombs, to help those the families involved, our thanks to White House is a bully pulpit. If that wounded receive comfort, aid, and as- those that stood in the face of danger pulpit is sanctioning, or appears to be sistance so that they might be appro- to help, and our acknowledgment of a sanctioning, or appears to be mini- priately hospitalized, performed admi- heroism and a worldwide statement mizing the serious effects of drug use, rably, incredibly in the face of grave that was made in Atlanta the very next it should not be surprising that our danger. To all the officers, the men and morning as the centennial games con- young people do not understand the women, Federal, State, and local, who tinued. consequences. in the following hours did everything Mr. President, I suggest the absence I am afraid that what has surfaced within their power to bring order to of a quorum. over the last several weeks—the word the situation, and who were deluged The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. that comes to mind is ‘‘cavalier’’—is with what I characterize as thrill-seek- KEMPTHORNE). The clerk will call the that it is not really important, that ers reporting bombs in other venues, roll. message has created a very, very seri- other high-density areas. With preci- The bill clerk proceeded to call the ous repercussion in our country. It has sion and expertise and valor, they pro- roll. to be turned around and changed ceeded to secure this great world event Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I quickly. in our State and in our Nation. So my ask unanimous consent that the order Mr. President, with that opening hat is off to these people. Again, the for the quorum call be rescinded. statement, I yield up to 15 minutes to word ‘‘hero’’ comes to mind. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the distinguished Senator from Utah. Mr. President, I was first notified of objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- this incident at 3 a.m. in the morning. Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, ator from Utah is recognized for 15 By 6:30 that morning, I had been in under the previous order, I am to be minutes. touch with the law enforcement com- recognized during morning business for PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR mand center, which I visited to try to a period of 60 minutes. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask take stock of the situation. It was a I ask unanimous consent that during unanimous consent that Patrick Mur- gloomy, dark night, drizzling, and as this period I be permitted to yield por- phy, a detailee on my staff, be granted you might imagine, a sense of great tions of my time to other Members floor privileges for the remainder of concern and pall fell over all of us. As without losing my right to the floor. this Congress. I was driving back pondering what it The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without was that all of us were confronted objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. with, as I was driving into the city, I f Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, our Fed- looked at the interstate that you have eral drug policy is at a crossroads. Un- to walk over, which many fans have to THE DRUG EPIDEMIC fortunately for Americans, drug con- walk over in order to get to the grand Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, as I trol is not a national priority for the Olympic stadium, and there was a vi- have said many times on the floor, we Clinton administration. For some time sion of valor, defiance, courage, and are in the midst of a drug epidemic in now I have been saying that President

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9017 Clinton has been AWOL—absent with- those who have used drugs even as stu- sitions, more than 6 percent of its out leadership—in the war on drugs. dents and believe that their drug use agent force; Put another way, the Clinton White was not a serious wrong, unfortunate President Clinton signed legislation House has been MIA in the drug war— step in their life. Nor should those who repealing mandatory minimums for mired in arrogance. Ineffectual leader- still use drugs or have recently done so some drug traffickers and dealers; ship and failed Federal policies have be given a public trust especially in the And agreed to more than $230 million combined with ambiguous cultural White House. It is this mindset which in cuts to drug education and preven- messages to generate changing atti- will result in defeat. tion funds in 1993. tudes among our young people and Both President Reagan and President It really is no surprise, therefore, sharp, serious increases in youthful Bush led from the front on this war, that as the administration has turned a drug use. confronting our Nation’s drug problems blind eye to this problem, drug dealers This is painfully evidenced by this head on with positive results. As a Na- have flooded our Nation’s streets with chart on my right, which shows that tion, we were committed to winning more illegal drugs and steadily declin- after a 12-year steady decline in drug the war on drugs, and we were making ing prices. use by high school seniors, from 1980 to gains. Since President Clinton has as- For example, as this next chart here 1992, there has been a sharp increase in sumed office, his administration’s cam- reflects, the last several years have such drug use during the last 3 years. paign against drugs has been in full re- seen a dramatic drop in heroin prices. As you can see, the decline came from treat, and America is now losing the Since 1992, it has dramatically dropped. 1980 downhill in every one of these cat- war. In fact, you can see it dropped very egories, and in every one of the cat- During the Reagan and Bush era, the dramatically there, and then the pu- rity, of course, has been going up. So egories since 1992 drug use has started United States saw dramatic reductions the drop in heroin prices, combined to go up sharply. in casual drug use. From 1977 to 1992, Even more troubling is that this in- casual drug use was more than cut in with the dramatic increase in the pu- crease has been uniform as to those half. Cocaine use fell by 79 percent, rity of such heroin on the streets, has who have used drugs in the past month, while monthly use fell from 2.9 million been catastrophic. The conclusion that can be drawn in the past year, and those children users in 1988 to 1.3 million in 1992. Such from these facts is clear. Supply is way trying drugs for the first time. reductions were achieved not by hollow No one is more responsible for our rhetoric but through sustained, visible up on our city streets resulting in more current dilemma than President Clin- use of the bully pulpit, increased quan- lethal drugs being available to our chil- ton. For more than 3 years, I have tities, a clear and quantifiable antidrug dren at a much cheaper rate. Despite taken to the floor of the Senate to policy and, most important, strong such glaring evidence, the Clinton ad- ministration continues to remain si- warn my colleagues and the Nation Presidential leadership. Substantial in- lent on addressing this problem. about the threat we face due to Presi- vestment of resources, coupled with In short, since 1992, the bully pulpit dent Clinton’s abdication of leadership the effective use of the bully pulpit, caused a strong reverberation of anti- has gathered dust, liberal soft-headed in the war on drugs. What also troubles policies have been implemented, and a me is that a defeatist outlook in the drug sentiment throughout this Na- tion. mentality of tolerance for drugs has drug war appears now to be supple- taken root. As a result, almost every mented by a softer attitude tolerating From his very first days in office, President Clinton was derailing the ef- available indicator today shows the or excusing drug use. United States is losing our fight The Clinton administration has fective approaches of prior administra- against drugs. Let us just consider caused serious damage to this country tions. Although he promised to ‘‘re- invent our drug control programs,’’ and some of the evidence. as a direct result of failed policies and First, drugs are cheap and more absent leadership in the war on drugs. ‘‘move beyond ideological debates,’’ the President announced a new ap- available. Since 1993, the retail price of Indeed, as one more manifestation of cocaine has dropped by more than 10 the administration’s arrogance of proach to drug policy, deemphasizing law enforcement and cutting interdic- percent. The price of heroin has plum- power, we now know that the White meted from $1,647 a gram in 1992 to $966 House strong-armed the Secret Service tion. He called his approach a con- trolled shift. In hindsight, it has been a gram in February 1996. into granting security passes for at an approach of reckless abdication. The Second, since President Clinton took least a dozen persons who had engaged Clinton administration renounced the office, the number of 12- to 17-year-olds in the recent use of, among other ille- proven policies of previous administra- using marijuana has almost doubled— gal drugs, crack cocaine and tions and instead oversaw the fol- 2.9 million kids compared with the 1992 hallucinogens. In responding to ques- lowing: level of 1.6 million. According to a tions concerning this matter, White Federal illegal drug caseloads were most recent University of Michigan House spokesman Mike McCurry dis- reduced by 10.3 percent from fiscal year study, one in three high school seniors dainfully suggested that prior drug use 1992 to fiscal year 1995; now smokes marijuana, and 48.4 per- was no big deal. What a terrible mes- The Governmentwide interdiction cent of the class of 1995 had tried ille- sage to send to the country, especially budget was cut by 39 percent since 1993; gal drugs. to our young people. Where was Presi- Supply reduction has been put in You can see why I got so upset when dent Clinton during this episode? Why utter disarray, with a 53 percent drop Mr. McCurry made his comments. Now, didn’t he admonish his spokesman? in our ability to interdict and push to his credit, he has basically apolo- When will someone at the White House back drug shipments in the drug tran- gized for those, and I accept his apol- acknowledge that drug use is a big sit zone; ogy. But it should never have happened deal. Between 1992 and 1994, cocaine seized to begin with. And it is this tolerance To his credit, Mr. McCurry has ex- by the Customs Service and Coast in the White House that is causing pressed regret for having been so cava- Guard dropped 70 percent and 71 per- these problems. It comes through to lier; but, it is quite telling that it was cent, respectively. these kids and to everybody else, it the President’s spokesman who ex- The National Drug Control Policy seems to me. pressed this attitude of tolerance for staff was cut from 147 to 25, but Con- Third, the number of cocaine and drug use. Remember, this is the same gress did restore funding for adequate heroin-related emergency room admis- President who named the stealth drug staffing levels this fiscal year, and with sions has jumped to historic levels. In czar Lee Brown and Surgeon General the President’s approval finally admit- the first half of 1995, cocaine-related Jocelyn Elders, a proponent of legal- ted that they were wrong; emergency room cases were 65 percent izing drugs. The administration’s fiscal year 1995 above the level in the first half of 1991. Let me be clear. I am not suggesting budget proposed to slash 621 drug en- Heroin admissions soared 120 percent that people who experimented with forcement positions from the DEA, over this same period of time. drugs in their youth are categorically INS, FBI and Customs Service; Fourth, methamphetamine use has unfit for public service. But we should From 1992 to 1995, the Drug Enforce- soared with meth-related emergency not make room at the policy table for ment Administration lost 227 agent po- room admissions in 1995 increasing by

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 more than 320 percent since 1991. And SUMMARY crease in drug-related hospital emergency yet, I might add, someone on the other KEY FINDINGS department episodes. Heroin-related episodes side of the aisle is blocking consider- Losing ground against drugs increased by 27 percent, marijuana-related ation of a bipartisan Hatch-Biden episodes increased by 32 percent, and meth- 1. The number of 12–17 year-olds using amphetamine-related episodes increased by methamphetamine bill. I urge the marijuana increased from 1.6 million in 1992 35 percent. President to call off his guardians of to 2.9 million in 1994. 2. The number of individuals prosecuted for Women and drugs—Wall Street Journal (June 6, gridlock so we can pass this bill that is 1996) critical to this country. federal drug violations dropped from 25,033 in 1992 to 23,114 in 1993, and still lower to 21,905 1. Unfortunately, the gender gap among Fifth, LSD use has reached the high- in 1994—a 12 percent drop in just two years. drug users is quickly closing as women catch est rate since recordkeeping started in 3. Street-level heroin is at a record level, up with men when it comes to smoking, 1975. Fully 11.7 percent of the class of even as the price of a pure gram fell from drinking, and doing drugs. 1995 had tried it at least once. $2,032 to $1,278 per gram between February 1993 and February 1995. LOSING GROUND AGAINST DRUGS—A REPORT That is mind-boggling. Setting the course: a national drug strategy ON INCREASING ILLICIT DRUG USE AND NA- The widespread increase in illegal 1. Attitudes among teenagers about the TIONAL DRUG POLICY drug use is not surprising when the rel- dangers of drug use are changing—for the (Prepared by Majority Staff, Senate Com- ative ease in which these drugs are now worse. After more than a decade of viewing mittee on the Judiciary, Senator Orrin G. brought across our borders is consid- drugs as dangerous, a new generation in- Hatch, Utah, Chairman) ered. Recent reports indicate that creasingly sees no harm in using drugs. INTRODUCTION Mexican drug cartels are no longer in- 2. The President has abandoned the bully Through the 1980s and into the early 1990s, terested in merely crossing our south- pulpit against drugs and radically reduced the United States experienced dramatic and the staff of the Office of National Drug Con- unprecedented reductions in casual drug use. ern border to peddle their drugs. trol Policy from 147 to 25, rendering it large- Ranchers along the Texas and New The number of Americans using illicit ly ineffectual. drugs plunged from 24.7 million in 1979 to 11.4 Mexico border are now finding them- News conference from National Drug Policy Di- selves being forced to sell their border million in 1992. The so-called ‘‘casual’’ use of rector McCaffrey cocaine fell by 79 percent between 1985 and properties to these armed thugs. They 1. Heroin’s popularity continues to rise and 1992, while monthly cocaine use fell 55 per- are getting plenty of money for it. Why inexperienced dealers are selling dangerous cent between 1988 and 1992 alone—from 2.9 would they pay these exorbitant rates? mixtures called heroin ‘‘cocktails’’ which million to 1.3 million users. But people are afraid not to sell to have hospitalized more than 120 people in On the surface, little appears to have them for fear they will be killed. May alone. changed since 1992. For the nation as a 2. Methamphetamine, Rohypnol, Ketamine, whole, drug use remains relatively flat. The As a result, a virtual superhighway Quaaludes, and ephedrine are drugs emerging vast majority of Americans still do not use for illegal drug flow into this country as ‘‘club drugs’’ and continue to rise in popu- illegal drugs. is being created—some say has already larity among young adults. Unfortunately, this appearance is dan- been created. The Clinton administration’s continuing retreat gerously misleading. Drug use has in fact ex- We are literally losing ground in the war on drugs—Heritage Foundation perienced a dramatic resurgence among our against drugs. In an effort to call at- 1. The Clinton Administration’s failure to youth, a disturbing trend that could quickly return the United States to the epidemic of tention to this disturbing development, appoint effective leaders in key positions to articulate and enforce a strong anti-drug drug use that characterized the decade of the I will be holding a hearing in the Judi- 1970s. ciary Committee this Wednesday on message has seriously undercut drug efforts. 2. Former drug-policy Director Lee Brown Recent surveys, described in detail in this precisely these points: What is hap- attributes the ‘‘troubling’’ decline in pros- report, provide overwhelming evidence of a pening on our southern border? ecutions to ‘‘the policies of the new U.S. At- sharp and growing increase in drug use Due to President Clinton’s failure in torneys who de-emphasized prosecution of among young people: small-scale drug offenders.’’ The number of 12–17 year-olds using mari- the drug war, our children are at great- juana increased from 1.6 million in 1992 to 2.9 Adolescent drug use likely to increase again in er risk, our law enforcement efforts are million in 1994. The category of ‘‘recent ’96—Partnership for a Drug-Free America strained more than ever, and our bor- marijuana use’’ increased a staggering 200 ders, it appears, are now being bought 1. Driven by increasingly lax attitudes percent among 14–15 year-olds over the same up by drug smugglers. about marijuana, America’s teenagers are period. seeing fewer risks and more personal rewards To his credit, President Clinton Since 1992, there has been a 52 percent in drug use. They are less likely to consider jump in the number of high-school seniors named Gen. Barry McCaffrey as his drug use harmful and risky, more likely to using drugs on a monthly basis, even as wor- new drug czar. General McCaffrey is a believe that drug use is widespread and toler- risome declines are noted in peer disapproval committed man. I have respect for him. ated, and feel more pressure to try illegal of drug use. But it may be too little too late. Such drugs than teens did just 2 years ago. One in three high school seniors now 11th hour tactics do not obviate one ab- Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Inves- smokes marijuana. solute truth: For the last 3 years, in tigating Chemists Association Young people are actually more likely to the battle to regain our streets from 1. Numerous labs have been seized showing be aware of the health dangers of cigarettes the plague of illegal drugs, this admin- increasing production of than of the dangers of marijuana. Nor have recent increases been confined to istration has let our country down. methamphetamines. Laboratory operators are taking advantage of the fact that all marijuana. At least three surveys note in- The Nation must have effective sales of the pseudoephedrine drug products, creased use of inhalants and other drugs moral leadership in this war against regardless of the quantity involved, are com- such as cocaine and LSD. drugs. The President has turned back pletely unregulated. Drug use by young people is alarming by the clock 20 years in the drug war. He Drug use rises again in 1995 among American any standard, but especially so since teen has hurt this Nation by his lack of teens—The University of Michigan drug use is at the root of hard-core drug use by adults. According to surveys by the Cen- leadership on this issue, and it is time 1. Annual surveys of some 50,000 students ter on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 12–17 to turn this retreat around. in over 400 public and private secondary year-olds who use marijuana are 85 times I again call on our President not just schools nationwide reveal that in 1995, mari- more likely to graduate to cocaine than juana use continued the strong resurgence those who abstain from marijuana. Fully 60 to join, but to lead an attack on illegal that began in the early 1990s with increased drugs and their use in this country. percent of adolescents who use marijuana be- use at all grade levels. The proportion of fore age 15 will later use cocaine. Conversely, Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- eighth-graders taking any illicit drug has al- those who reach age 21 without ever having sent that a summary and a series of ex- most doubled since 1991, has risen nearly used drugs almost never try them later in cerpts of relevant reports be printed in two-thirds among 10th-graders since 1992, life. and has risen by nearly half among 12th- Described another way, perhaps 820,000 of the RECORD. They are most inform- graders. ative. I urge my colleagues to read the new crop of youthful marijuana smokers Preliminary estimates from the Drug Abuse them. will eventually try cocaine. Of these 820,000 Warning Network—Substance Abuse and who try cocaine, some 58,000 may end up as There being no objection, the mate- Mental Health Services Administration regular users and addicts. rial was ordered to be printed in the 1. Comparing the first half of 1995 with the The implications of public policy are clear. RECORD, as follows: first half of 1994, there was a 10 percent in- If such increases are allowed to continue for

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9019 just two more years, America will be at risk egy for coping with these problems is predi- be aged 6 years and older and meet all four of returning to the epidemic drug use of the cated on a series of goals that one drug pol- of the following criteria: 1970s. Should that happen, our ability to con- icy expert described as ‘‘merely an The patient was treated in the hospital’s trol health care costs, reform welfare, im- unprioritized list [that does little] to direct emergency department; prove the academic performance of our policy. The patient’s presenting problem was in- school-age children, and defuse the projected Viewed together, these factors paint a dis- duced by or related to drug use, regardless of ‘‘crime bomb’’ of youthful super-predator turbing picture of inattention to a serious when the drug ingestion occurred; criminals, will all be seriously compromised. and growing national threat. The case involved the nonmedical use of a With these thoughts in mind, I am pleased legal drug or any use of an illegal drug; to present ‘‘Losing Ground Against Drugs: A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FROM THE DRUG The patient’s reason for taking the sub- Report on Increasing Illicit Drug Use and ABUSE WARNING NETWORK, U.S. DEPART- stance included one of the following: (1) de- National Drug Policy’’ prepared at my direc- MENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, pendence, (2) suicide attempt or gesture, or tion by the majority staff of the United PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE (3) psychic effects. States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. HIGHLIGHTS Hospitals eligible for DAWN are non-Fed- This report examines trends in drug use and The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) eral, short-stay general hospitals that have a the Clinton Administration’s sometimes un- is a national probability survey of hospitals 24-hour emergency department. Since 1988, even response to them, including the Admin- with emergency departments conducted an- the DAWN emergency department data have istration’s controversial policy of targeting nually by the Substance Abuse and Mental been collected from a representative sample chronic, hardcore drug users. The report also Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). of these hospitals located throughout the co- reviews the state of trends in use and avail- The survey is designed to collect data on terminous United States, including 21 over- ability. And, finally, it evaluates the per- emergency department episodes which are sampled metropolitan areas. The data from formance over the past three years of our na- directly related to the use of an illegal drug this sample are used to generate estimates of tion’s criminal justice and interdiction sys- or non-medical use of a legal drug. Analyses the total number of emergency department tems. in this report focus primarily on recent drug episodes and drug mentions in all such The report finds Federal law enforcement trends in drug-related episodes. Preliminary hospitals. under severe strain just as the technical so- estimates for the first half of 1995 are com- Recently, SAMHSA conducted a thorough phistication of drug trafficking syndicates is pared with data from the first half of 1994. review of the computer programs which pro- reaching new heights. It finds that the Ad- The major DAWN findings are: duces the DAWN estimates. As a result, cor- ministration’s supply reduction policy is in In the first half of 1995, there were 279,100 rections were made to the 1993 estimates utter disarray, with a 53 percent drop in our drug-related hospital emergency department that had been previously released. Estimated ability to interdict and push back drug ship- episodes representing an increase of 10 per- presented in the last DAWN release (Advance ments in the transit zone. The report also cent from the first half of 1994 (252,600). Report Number 11 ‘‘Preliminary Estimates finds increases in the purity of drugs and the An estimated 76,800 cocaine-related epi- from the DAWN—1994’’) and in Annual Emer- number of drug-related emergency room ad- sodes were reported in the first half of 1995 gency Department Data 1993 [Series 1, Num- missions of hard-core users. compared with 68,400 in the first half of 1994, ber 13–A, DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 96–3080] and Federal drug policy is at a crossroads. Inef- an increase of 12 percent. in this report are based on these corrected fectual leadership and failed federal policies Cocaine-related episodes rose by 21 percent programs. Because the impact on national have combined with ambiguous cultural (from 26,100 to 31,500) among persons aged 35 estimates was found to be small for 1992, messages to generate changing attitudes years and older between the first half of 1994 those estimates were not revised. However, among our young people and sharp increases and the first half of 1995. A 17 percent in- the impact is significant for some metropoli- in youthful drug use. crease was observed among blacks (from tan areas and may be significant for selected The American people recognize these prob- 36,200 to 42,500). drugs. Thus, readers should use caution when lems and are increasingly concerned: A Gal- The number of heroin-related episodes in- comparing 1992 (and earlier) estimates and lup poll released December 12, 1995 shows creased by 27 percent between the first half 1993 (and later) estimates. See Appendix I for that 94 percent of Americans view illegal of 1994 and the first half of 1995 (from 30,000 details. drug use as either a ‘‘crisis’’ or a ‘‘very seri- to 38,100). Estimates from DAWN are released peri- Between the first half of 1994 and the first ous problem.’’ Their concern, which I share, odically in reports such as this Advance Re- half of 1995, heroin-related episodes increased underscores the danger of compromising our port, and are published in Annual Reports by 39 percent among whites (from 10,800 to struggle against the drug trade. I look for- which contain more detailed tables and a 15,000) and by 32 percent (from 16,100 to ward to addressing the issues raised in this complete description of the DAWN method- 21,100) among persons aged 35 years and report in future hearings of the United ology (reference: Annual Emergency Depart- older. ment Data 1993. Series I, Number 13–A. States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Marijuana/hashish-related episodes rose DHHS Pub l. No. (SMA) 96–3080). 1995 esti- OVERVIEW from 19,100 in the first half of 1994 to 25,200 in mates in this report are preliminary because the first half of 1995, a 32 percent increase. For its first eight months in office, the they are based on incomplete data and ad- Marijuana episodes usually occur in com- Clinton Administration’s approach to the justment factors from the previous year. bination with other substances, particularly drug issue could best be described as benign Final estimates for 1995 will be published alcohol and cocaine. neglect. Then, in September 1993, the Admin- later when all hospitals participating in istration announced a new approach to drug The number of methamphetamine (speed)- related episodes increased by 35 percent DAWN have submitted their data and when policy, promising to ‘‘reinvent our drug con- additional ancillary data used in estimation trol programs’’ and ‘‘move beyond ideolog- (from 7,800 to 10,600) between the first half of 1994 and the first half of 1995. become available. The differences between ical debates.’’ The new Administration pol- preliminary and final estimates are due to INTRODUCTION icy deemphasized law enforcement and shift- several factors: final estimates include data ed away from interdiction, while promising This report contains preliminary data for from a small number of late-reporting hos- dividends from treating hard-core drug users. the first 6 months of 1995 and final annual pitals; additional hospitals are added to the Almost three years into the Administra- and semi-annual estimates of drug-related sample and incorporated into the final esti- tion, however, the results of its early ne- emergency department episodes for 1988 mates; and data from the most current list- glect, and subsequent policy ‘‘reinvention,’’ through 1994, from the Drug Abuse Warning ings of all eligible hospitals are used to are in. Drug use is up—dramatically so Network [DAWN], an ongoing national sur- produce the final weights. among young people. Promised reductions in vey of hospital emergency departments. The DAWN system also collects data on hard-core use—the centerpiece of the Admin- Since the early 1970’s, DAWN has collected drug-related deaths from a nonrandom sam- istration strategy—have failed to mate- information on patients seeking hospital ple of medical examiners. Data from medical rialize. New money to expand the nation’s emergency department treatment related to examiners are not included in this report. treatment system has coincided with a pro- their use of an illegal drug or the nonmedical Medical examiner data are published annu- jected decrease in treatment ‘‘slot.’’ use of a legal drug. The survey provides data ally (reference: Annual Medical Examiner Law enforcement efforts, mean-while, are that describe the impact of drug use on hos- Data 1994. Series I, Number 14–B. DDHS Pub. not keeping pace with the kingpins who run pital emergency departments in the United No. (SMA) 96–3078). the drug trade, whose resources and tech- States. Data are collected by trained report- nical sophistication are increasing yearly. ers—nurses and other hospital personnel— SETTING THE COURSE—A NATIONAL DRUG Prosecutorial efforts appear to have stum- who review medical charts for indications— STRATEGY bled as well, with a 12 percent decline in noted by hospital staff who treated the pa- (By the Task Force on National Drug Policy, prosecutions over just two years. tients—that drug use was the reason for the and convened by: Majority Leader Bob Presidentially ordered interdiction cuts emergency department visit. Thus, the accu- Dole and Speaker Newt Gingrich) appear to have resulted in an increased sup- racy of these reports depends on the careful ply of drugs on American streets. Illicit recording of this information by hospital TASK FORCE ON NATIONAL DRUG POLICY drugs are now available in greater quan- staff. Senator Charles Grassley, Co-Chair, tities, at higher purity, and at lower prices To be included in DAWN, the person pre- Senator Orrin Hatch, Co-Chair, than ever before. The Administration’s strat- senting to the emergency department must Senator Spence Abraham,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 Senator John Ashcroft, Such a strategy does not have to re-invent have belittled traditional family virtues and Senator Paul Coverdell, the wheel. It does need to do the right things encouraged a cheapening of social discourse. Senator Alfonse D’Amato, with the right stuff. This means a focus on Our public places have become threatening Senator Mike DeWine, prevention, law enforcement, and interdic- to decent people because of misplaced toler- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, tion. It means presidential leadership within ance for aggression and public incivility. Senator Olympia Snowe, the Executive Branch and at large. It in- Many of our children are now having chil- Representative Henry Hyde, Co-Chair, volves congressional oversight of programs dren, born out of wedlock into lives of mean- Representative William Zeliff, Co-Chair, and support to effective, well-managed ef- ness and violence. Representative Mike Forbes, In calling for a recommitment to sus- Representative Ben Gilman, forts. It means a program that adds sub- stance to rhetoric and matches ends to tained, coherent efforts against drugs, the Representative Bill McCollum, Task Force members recognize that this ef- Representative Rob Portman, means in a sustainable effort. fort is part of a larger struggle for the soul Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, A reinvigorated national drug strategy Representative Clay Shaw, needs to focus on five major elements: our young people and our future. We reject Representative J.C. Watts. 1. We need a sound interdiction strategy the counsels of despair that say that nothing that employs our resources in the transit can be done. That our only recourse is to de- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY zone, in the source countries of Latin Amer- clare surrender and legalize drugs. We recog- The facts are simple. After more than a ica, and near the borders to stop the flow of nize that the drug problem is a generational decade of decline, teenage drug use is on the illegal drugs. This means renewed efforts at one. Every year the country produces a new rise. Dramatically. Every survey, every US Customs, DEA, INS, DoD, and the Coast platoon of young people who must be guided study of drug use in America reconfirms this Guard to identify the sources, methods, and to responsible adulthood. A continuing, vital depressing finding. individuals involved in trafficking and going anti-drug message sustained by meaningful What is even more disturbing is that atti- after them and their assets. prevention, law enforcement and interdic- tudes among teenagers about the dangers of 2. A renewed commitment to the drug ef- tion programs is part of the responsibility drug use are also changing—for the worse. fort requires a serious international compo- our generation has to the next. This report is After more than a decade of viewing drugs as nent that increases international commit- a wake-up call to America to do its duty. dangerous, a new generation increasingly ment to the full range of counter-drug ac- sees no harm in using drugs. tivities. These must involve efforts to pre- THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Just such a shift in attitudes engendered vent money laundering; to develop common December 11, 1995. the last drug epidemic in this country. The banking practices that prevent safe havens; DRUG USE RISES AGAIN IN 1995 AMONG 1960s saw a significant movement among serious commitments to impose sanctions on AMERICAN TEENS many of the nation’s intellectual leaders, countries that fail to meet standards of co- ANN ARBOR.—The use of drugs among media gurus, and even some politicians that operation; efforts to ensure proper controls American secondary school students rose glorified drug use. These attitudes influ- over precursor chemicals; and an inter- again in 1995, continuing a trend that began enced the thinking and decision making of national convention on organized crime that in 1991 among eighth-grade students, and in many of our young people. We are still living develops common approaches for targeting 1992 among 10th- and 12th-graders, according with the consequences of the 1960s and 1970s the main international criminal organiza- to scientists at the University of Michigan. attitudes in the form of a long-term addict tions, their leaders and assets. The proportion of eighth-graders taking population and thousands of casualties, in- 3. US national drug strategy should also any illicit drug in the 12 months prior to the cluding a staggering number of drug-ad- take steps to ensure that drug laws are effec- survey has almost doubled since 1991 (from 11 dicted newborns and many of our homeless. tively enforced, particularly that there be percent to 21 percent). Since 1992 the propor- The American public recoiled at the social truth in sentencing for rug trafficking and tion using any illicit drugs in the prior 12 pathologies associated with the illegal drug drug-related violent crimes. months has risen by nearly two-thirds epidemic then, and recent polls indicate that 4. Prevention and education are critical among 10th-graders (from 20 percent to 33 they are just as concerned today that we are elements in a renewed strategy. There needs percent) and by nearly half among 12th-grad- about to repeat history because we failed to to be greater coordination and effective ers (from 27 to 39 percent.) learn our lesson. Despite the fact that we oversight of Federal prevention and edu- The findings are from the Monitoring the made major inroads on reducing drug use in cation programs, which should involve the Future Study, a series of annual surveys of the 1980s, the press and many others have integration of disparate drug programs in some 50,000 students in over 400 public and helped to create the idea that nothing works HHS, DoJ, and elsewhere under one author- private secondary schools nationwide. The and that our only policy options are the de- ity. This more integrated approach should U–M investigators who have directed the criminalization or outright legalization of focus on empowering local communities and study for the 21 years of its existence are so- drugs. families, and must develop more effective cial scientists Lloyd Johnston, Jerald The media turned their attention away evaluation programs to determine which de- Dachman and Patrick C. Malley—all faculty from the drug issue and have not returned to livery mechanisms are the best. at the U–M’s Survey Research Center. The it in the last three years. The Clinton Ad- 5. Treatment must remain an important work is supported by the National Institute ministration has downplayed the drug issue, element to any strategy, but more needs to on Drug Abuse, one of the National Insti- demoting it as a national priority and be done to eliminate duplication and waste. tutes of Health in the U.S. Department of distancing the President from it. The mes- A renewed strategy needs to look at estab- Health and Human Services. sage that drug use was wrong was de-empha- lishing more effective evaluation techniques In 1995, marijuana use, in particular, con- sized, while interdiction and enforcement to determine which treatment programs are tinued the strong resurgence that began in were downplayed in order to concentrate on the most successful. Accountability must be the early 1990’s, with increased use at all treatment. The result has been to replace a key element in our programs. three grade levels. Among eighth-graders, ‘‘Just Say No’’ with ‘‘Just Say Nothing.’’ We We also need to look at the role of reli- annual prevalence (i.e., the proportion re- are suffering the consequences. gious institutions in our efforts to combat porting any use in the 12 months prior to the On December 13, 1995, Majority Leader Bob drug use. America cannot ignore the link be- survey) has risen to two-and-one-half times Dole and Speaker of the House Newt Ging- tween our growing drug problem and the in- its level in 1991, from 6 percent in 1991 to 16 rich convened a bicameral Task Force on Na- crease in moral poverty in our lives. percent in 1995. Among 10th-graders, annual tional Drug Policy to break the silence. The members of the Task Force also note prevalence has nearly doubled from the low They asked the Task Force to make rec- that even the best strategy in the world is point in use in 1992 of 15 percent to 29 percent ommendations on how Congress might, as it worth no more than the effort spent on turn- in 1995; among 12th-graders annual preva- has many times in the past, put drugs back ing it into reality. Thus, the Administration lence has increased by more than half, from on the national agenda. This report is the re- and Congress have a responsibility to de- the low point of 22 percent in 1992 to 35 per- sult of the Task Force’s efforts. It reflects velop and implement sustained and sustain- cent in 1995. the results of town meetings, discussions able programs. An effective effort, however, ‘‘Of particular concern in the continuing with experts, and meetings with leading must go beyond what the Executive and Con- rise in daily marijuana use,’’ observes John- treatment and prevention organizations. gress can do. A true national effort must in- ston. Nearly one in 20 (4.6 percent) of today’s This report represents a beginning of effort volve parents, families, schools, religious in- high school seniors is a current daily mari- not the conclusion. stitutions, local and state governments, juana user, and roughly one in every 35 10th- The Task Force’s first and most important civic groups, and the private sector. graders (2.8 percent). Fewer than one in a recommendation calls for a serious national Finally, the Task Force members note that hundred eight-graders use at that level (0.8 drug strategy. Recent Administration strate- many of our current social pathologies, in percent). These rates have risen sharply as gies have been thin and they have arguably addition to drug use, arise from causes di- overall marijuana use has increased. failed to meet the clear statutory obligation rectly related to a climate that disparages The investigators found that while mari- that specific and measurable objectives be essential moral and ethical principles of per- juana use has shown the sharpest increase, included. Our national strategy is incom- sonal behavior. Out of the best of intentions, the use of a number of other illicit drugs, in- plete and has focused efforts in areas that we have pursued policies that have replaced cluding LSD, hallucinogens other than LSD, have not worked. We need a more serious ef- a sense of personal responsibility with amphetamines, stimulants, and inhalants, fort. conscienceless self-esteem. In doing so, we has also continued to drift upward.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9021 The use of LSD continued to rise in all Johnston, ‘‘it should be noted that they are caine-related emergency room cases were 65 three grade levels in 1995, continuing longer- still well below the peak levels attained in percent above the level in the first half of term increases that began at least as far the late 1970s. We are in a relapse phase in 1991. Heroin admissions soared 120 percent back as 1991. The proportions reporting and the longer-term epidemic, if you will, but it over the same period.4 LSD use in the 12 months prior to the 1995 is certainly not something over which soci- Methamphetamine use has turned into a survey were 3 percent, 7 percent, and 8 per- ety is powerless. Our great progress in the major problem, particularly in the Western cent for eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-graders, re- past at lowering the rates of illicit drug use United States. In the first half of 1995, meth- spectively. among our young people is proof of that.’’ To related emergency room cases were up by 321 Hallucinogens other than LSD, taken as a illustrate, between 1979 and 1992, the propor- percent compared with the first half of 1991.5 class, showed smaller increases in 1995 at all tion of 12th-graders reporting using any il- While there are many different reasons for three grade levels. The annual prevalence licit drug in the 12 months prior to the sur- this deterioration in America’s resistance to rates for eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-graders are vey fell by half, from 54 percent to 27 per- illegal drugs, part of the explanation is a considerably lower than for LSD: 2 percent, cent. failure in federal policy. President Clinton 3 percent, and 4 percent, respectively. Alcohol use among American secondary and his Administration have demonstrated The longer-term rise in the use of amphet- students generally has remained fairly stable little leadership on the issue and have failed amine stimulants continued in 1995 at the in the past few years, though at rates which to send out an unambiguous message of dis- eighth- and 10th-grade levels, but use leveled most adults would probably consider to be approval to young Americans. The Presi- among 12th-graders. Annual prevalence rates unacceptably high. (This remains true in dent’s personnel appointments in this area are 9 percent, 12 percent, and 9 percent for 1995, although there has been some small in- have ranged from the virtually invisible, as grades eight, 10, and 12, respectively. crease among 12th-graders over the past two in the case of former ‘‘drug czar’’ Lee Brown, The use of cocaine in any form continued a years.) In 1995 the proportions of students to the embarrassing, as in the case of Dr. gradual upward climb, though most of the having five or more drinks in a row during Joycelyn Elders, former Surgeon General of one-year changes do not reach statistical the two weeks preceding the survey were 15 the United States. Staffing at the Office of significance. The same is true for crack co- percent, 24 percent, and 30 percent for the National Drug Control Policy was cut by 80 caine. So far, at least, these increases have eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-graders, respectively. percent—from 147 to 25. Moreover, although been very gradual. The annual prevalence the President’s election year budget reverses rates for use of cocaine in any form are 2.6 [From the Backgrounder, the Heritage this cut and requests major increases for percent, 3.5 percent, and 4 percent for grades Foundation, July 12, 1996] drug law enforcement, his FY 1995 request eight, 10, and 12, respectively, while for THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION’S CONTINUING would have eliminated 621 drug enforcement crack use they are 1.6 percent, 1.8 percent, RETREAT IN THE WAR ON DRUGS positions. and 2.1 percent. The Clinton Administration’s policy initia- (By John P. Walters and James F.X. O’Gara) Several other classes of illicit drugs also tives have been similarly ineffectual, espe- have been showing very gradual increases HIGHLIGHTS cially their focus on hard core drug users at since the early 1990s, including tranquilizers The Clinton Administration has a poor the expense of stronger law enforcement and and three drug classes reported only for 12th- record in fighting the war on drugs. Interdic- interdiction. The evidence is in: Federal ille- graders—barbiturates, ice (crystal meth- tion efforts and prosecution for illegal drugs gal drug caseloads fell by 10.3 percent from amphetamine), and opiates other than her- are down, illegal drug usage and emergency FY 1992 to FY 1995; the government-wide oin. room admissions are up. Part of the problem interdiction budget has been cut 39 percent Questions about heroin use have been in has been a failure in personnel management: since 1993; the impact of interdiction pro- the study from the beginning and have gen- the inability or unwillingness to appoint ef- grams has dropped off sharply; and drug-re- erally shown low (and for many years among fective leaders in key positions to articulate lated hospital emergency room admissions 12th-graders, stable) rates of use. However, and enforce a strong anti-drug message, as have hit record levels. use began to rise after 1991 among 10th- and well as inappropriate reductions in staff at Instead of pursuing ineffectual anti-drug 12-graders, and after 1993 among eighth-grad- agencies dedicated to dealing with the prob- policies and giving the impression that curb- ers, as well. There was a statistically signifi- lem on the front lines. ing drug use is not a priority, the President cant increase in annual heroin prevalence The President must exercise leadership on and Congress should demonstrate leadership among eighth-graders in 1994, and then this issue and use his bully pulpit to send an in this deadly contest. If the United States is among 12-graders in 1995. All three grades unambiguous anti-drug message. Members of serious about combating the infiltration of showed some increase in both years. While Congress also need to focus federal efforts on illegal drugs across America’s borders and the annual prevalence rates for heroin re- law enforcement and interdiction programs into the nation’s cities, towns, neighbor- main quite low in 1995 compared to most that work, and fund only those rehabilita- hoods, and schools, several steps need to be other drugs, they are nevertheless two to tion programs that have a track record of taken: three times higher than they had been a few success. One way Congress can do this is to The President must use the ‘‘bully pulpit’’ years ago. The annual prevalence rates in allow funding for drug counseling and drug of his office to send out a clear message that 1995 are between 1.1 percent and 1.4 percent rehabilitation programs provided by reli- drug use is unacceptable. at all three grade levels. gious organizations. American must assist its allies in Latin The small increase in heroin use in 1994 led America’s illegal drug problem is complex America and elsewhere in their efforts to the investigators to distinguish in half of the and presents a special challenge for policy- take on the drug cartels. 1995 questionnaires between two different makers in Congress and the White House. The President must propose budgetary, methods for taking heroin: with a needle and But the complexity and the difficulty of the personnel, and policy initiatives that make without a needle. Their hypothesis was that issue are no excuse for ineffective policy and it absolutely clear that Washington means non-injection forms of use (e.g., snorting or a lack of serious effort. business in curbing the flow of drugs into smoking) may be accounting for the rise in INTRODUCTION America. overall use. Consistent with this hypothesis, Congress should pass legislation to close in 1995 a large proportion of those reporting The Clinton Administration continues to loopholes that result in excessively lenient heroin use indicated that at least some of retreat in the war on drugs. After a decade of sentences for marijuana smugglers. their use involved a non-injection method of consistent progress during the Reagan and Congress should continue to block the administration (63 percent, 75 percent, and 89 Bush Administrations, almost every avail- United States Sentencing Commission’s pro- percent of the past-year heroin users in able indicator today shows the United States posals to lower sentences for crack cocaine grades eight, 10, and 12, respectively) Fur- is losing—some would say surrendering—in dealers. ther, a substantial proportion indicated the prolonged struggle against illegal drugs. Washington must get serious about pro- using heroin only in a non-injectable form Consider the evidence: moting rehabilitation that works, such as re- (32 percent, 45 percent, and 57 percent of the Since President Clinton took office, the ligion-based programs, instead of simply past-year heroin users for grades eight, 10, number of 12-to-17-years-olds using mari- funding programs that promise to rehabili- and 12, respectively). juana has almost doubled—2.9 million com- tate drug addicts and fail to deliver. Con- 1 ‘‘Obviously this is not a runaway epidemic pared with the 1992 level of 1.6 million. One gress should re-evaluate all treatment pro- among teens, but it should give rise to some in three high school seniors now smokes grams carefully. The basis of federal funding caution,’’ Johnston comments. ‘‘Many of marijuana, and 48.4 percent of the Class of for drug rehabilitation should be a clear 2 these young users may be under the mis- 1995 had tried drugs by graduation day. track record of success. conception that they cannot become ad- LSD use has reached the highest rate since America succeeded in reducing the rate of dicted to heroin if they use it in a non- record-keeping started in 1975. Fully 11.7 per- drug use, especially among vulnerable teen- injectable form. The fact is that they can. In cent of the Class of 1995 had tried it at least agers, in the 1980s because local efforts were 3 Southeast Asia and other parts of the world once. reinforced by a serious program of law en- there are many thousands of opium smokers The number of cocaine-and heroin-related forcement, interdiction, and hard-headed de- who are heavily addicted, and heroin is sim- emergency room admissions has jumped to mand reduction policies, and because the ply a powerful derivative of opium. historic levels. In the first half of 1995, co- Reagan and Bush Administrations made it ‘‘While these levels of illicit drug use are very clear that they were determined to win certainly reason for concern,’’ observes Footnotes at end of article. the war against drugs. Unfortunately, the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 Clinton Administration has adopted a very ‘‘President Bush hasn’t fought a real war on In a textbook illustration of the laxness of different posture, and America is now losing crime and drugs . . . [and] I will.’’ On the Clinton Administration drug policy, the Los the war. link between drugs and crime, Clinton said, Angeles Times revealed on May 12, 1996, that THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP ‘‘We have a national problem on our hands hundreds of marijuana smugglers ‘‘have been that requires a tough national response.’’11 allowed to go free after U.S. authorities ar- The illegal drug problem is admittedly Despite the tough rhetoric, however, the rested them with substantial quantities of complex, but complexity is no excuse for in- President’s performance has been dis- drugs at ports of entry in California.’’ 17 At- action. President Clinton began derailing the appointing. Perhaps the first solid indication torney General Janet Reno objected to the successful approaches of prior administra- that rhetoric and reality would not fit neat- article’s claims, noting that the individuals tions from the earliest days of his presi- ly in the same policy box was the appoint- in question are ‘‘punished’’ by having their dency. After promising to ‘‘reinvent our drug ment of Dr. Joycelyn Elders of Arkansas as border crossing cards confiscated. Ms. Reno control programs’’ and ‘‘move beyond ideo- Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. added that prosecution may be ‘‘deferred’’ logical debates,’’ the President announced a Elders, among other things, offered the tax- only if five mitigating factors are present, a new approach to drug policy, de-emphasizing payers the tantalizing theory that legaliza- claim that elicited this reaction from Bush law enforcement and effecting a ‘‘controlled tion of drugs might ‘‘markedly reduce our Administration Drug Enforcement Adminis- shift’’ away from interdiction. More impor- crime rate’’ without increasing drug use.12 tration head Robert C. Bonner: tant, in a message to Congress, he promised As for the President himself, his image of Reno claims that only Mexican nationals to ‘‘change the focus of drug policy by tar- rhetorical toughness was compromised on qualify under the leniency policy. This re- 6 geting chronic, hardcore drug users.’’ This occasion by remarks that could at best be sults in two standards of justice. U.S. citi- ineffectual policy—the latest manifestation described as indifferent, at worst as flip- zens are prosecuted, but Mexican nationals of the liberals’ commitment to a ‘‘thera- pant.13 get a free ride to Mexico. peutic state’’ in which government serves as DOWNGRADING THE WAR ON DRUGS Another criterion is being caught with the agent of personal rehabilitation—seems The President’s ill-considered public words under 125 pounds of marijuana. So, if you are to have been rejected even by the President’s have been accompanied by a reduction in smuggling ‘‘only’’ 100 pounds, with a whole- new drug czar. General Barry McCaffrey, tangible resources and effort. Within weeks sale value of over $100,000, you meet one of who has moved to elevate the profile of pre- of taking office, the Clinton Administration the criteria. vention programs. announced that it would slash the Office of Now, Reno also says that there must also Cuts in the interdiction system and the National Drug Control Policy staff from 147 be ‘‘insufficient evidence’’ of knowledge and dismantling of other programs with records to 25. The President made the Director of the intent, but, of course, no one should be pros- of success have been accompanied by the in- Office a member of the Cabinet, but the ecuted, regardless of citizenship or quantity, creased availability of drugs. Ironically, the move was empty symbolism. This became if evidence of knowledge and intent are not Clinton drug policy has been most harmful 18 painfully evident when his new Director, present. to its intended beneficiaries—the very hard- former New York City Police Commissioner Dropping the Safeguards. The Clinton Ad- core drug addicts who are cycling through Lee P. Brown, was observed to be virtually ministration began to reduce America’s drug emergency rooms at record rates. invisible during his two-and-one-half-year interdiction efforts within a year of the in- The President’s lack of visibility on the tenure. President Bush’s Drug Policy Direc- augural. On November 3, 1993, against the ve- drug issue has drawn criticism from promi- tor, William Bennett, told Congress that the hement objections of senior Coast Guard offi- nent congressional supporters of drug con- Clinton Administration cuts essentially cers, the National Security Council issued a trol programs, including leading Democrats would relegate the new Director to the posi- classified presidential memorandum dic- in the House and Senate. Senator Joseph tion of an office clerk.14 tating a ‘‘controlled shift’’ of interdiction as- Biden (D-DE) admits he has ‘‘been openly Cuts in the drug czar’s office prefigured sets to other functions. At the same time, critical of this President’s silence.’’7 And much larger cuts in federal enforcement and flight hours in the so-called ‘‘transit zone’’ Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) has interdiction agencies. The Administration’s between the United States and South Amer- gone so far as to declare, ‘‘I’ve been in Con- fiscal 1995 budget, for example, proposed to ica were cut by 50 percent, many interdiction gress over two decades, and I have never, slash 621 drug enforcement positions from aircraft and helicopters were put into moth- never, never found any Administration that the Drug Enforcement Administration balls, ship ‘‘steaming days’’ were cut by a been so silent on this great challenge to the (DEA), Immigration and Naturalization third, and Department of Defense detection American people.’’8 Service (INS), Customs Service, FBI, and and monitoring budgets were reduced by In fact, since taking office, President Clin- Coast Guard.15 The DEA, America’s only law more than half. Controlling for inflation, the ton has been significantly engaged in only enforcement agency dedicated exclusively to aggregate government-wide drug interdic- one aspect of the drug problem—drugs in fighting the drug trade, lost 227 agent posi- tion budget has been cut 39 percent since the schools, which arguably is not even the fed- tions between September 1992 and September last year of the Bush Administration.19 eral government’s responsibility. In June 1995—more than 6 percent of its agent force. The impact of these cuts was almost imme- 1995, Clinton promised to veto any attempt Declining Caseloads. Cuts in law enforce- diate: Between 1993 and 1994, U.S. interdic- by the 104th Congress to cut the Safe and ment paralleled reduced drug case filings. tion forces experienced a 47 percent drop in Drug-Free Schools and Communities pro- The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts their ability to stop drug shipments from gram, which Congress had evaluated and registered a 10.3 percent reduction in federal Latin America. Cocaine seizures by the Cus- found to be ineffective. Bob Peterson, former case filings between FY 1992 and FY 1995, and toms Service and the Coast Guard fell by 70 Michigan drug czar, described the program the total number of defendants indicted in percent and 71 percent, respectively, during as a ‘‘slush fund,’’ and even former ONDCP these cases declined by 8.5 percent. The num- the same period.20 Overall interdiction effec- Director Lee Brown acknowledged ‘‘abuses of ber of federal drug cases refused for prosecu- tiveness has dropped by a cumulative 64 per- the program’’ in testimony before a House tion increased by 18.6 percent over the same cent between 1993 and 1996.21 subcommittee.9’’ period as U.S. Attorneys pursued more inves- Some, including General McCaffrey, have The Disturbing Change in the Trends. Dur- tigations into health-care fraud and other attempted to argue, against the evidence, ing the 1980s and early 1990s, the United areas deemed to be of greater priority than that this reduced effectiveness was the result States experienced dramatic reductions in combating illegal drugs. of changing trafficker routes, not vastly di- casual drug use—reductions that were won In an April 26, 1995, letter to Senate Judici- minished levels of national effort. This argu- through increased penalties, strong presi- ary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R- ment is refuted by an interdiction study dential leadership, and a clear national anti- UT), then-Drug Policy Director Lee Brown commissioned by the Clinton Administration drug message. Beyond the substantial invest- attributed the ‘‘troubling’’ decline in pros- itself. The study, performed for the Office of ment of resources, engaged commanders in ecutions to ‘‘the policies of the new U.S. At- National Drug Control Policy by the EBR chief used the bully pulpit to change atti- torneys who de-emphasized prosecution of Corporation, using conservative assump- tudes. Because Ronald Reagan and George small-scale drug offenders.’’ Director Brown tions, showed that restoring $500 million in Bush visibly involved themselves in the ef- also quoted the Administrative Office of the assets to the transit zone could cause sei- fort to combat illegal drugs, they helped res- U.S. Courts to the effect that the change had zures, jettisons, and mission-aborts totaling cue much of a generation. Overall, casual been ‘‘consistent with DOJ policy’’. 130 tons of cocaine per year. In round terms, drug use was cut by more than half between Despite the abundance of data confirming this means that restoring half the assets cut 1977 and 1992. Casual cocaine use fell by 79 the declining trend in illegal drug prosecu- by the Clinton Administration could result percent, while monthly use fell from 2.9 mil- tions, Clinton Administration officials have in the seizure or disruption of more than the lion users in 1988 to 1.3 million in 1992.10 cited different figures, compiled by the Exec- entire amount of cocaine seized domestically Strong presidential leadership had tangible utive Office of U.S. Attorneys, to suggest every year. effects. that case filings and defendants prosecuted Stimulating Demand. Cuts in interdiction Against this backdrop of accomplishment, actually rose 12.9 and 12.1 percent, respec- and law enforcement have had additional Bill Clinton promised to get even tougher tively, between fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1995. But consequences that should have been predict- than his predecessors. Indeed, while cam- even according to these figures, the number able to anyone with even a modicum of un- paigning for the presidency, then-Governor of drug defendants prosecuted dropped for derstanding of the basic economic laws of Clinton appeared to take an even harder line the three years prior to 1995, and remains 5.2 supply and demand. Between 1993 and 1994— on illegal drugs than Bush, declaring that percent below the FY 1992 level.16 the first year of the ‘‘controlled shift’’ away

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9023 from interdiction—the retail price of a gram Getting serious about hard-core drug use the White House drug office was to serve as of cocaine dropped from $123 to $104. Two ultimately requires America to do more to the political operative who carried out the years later, the price was still a low $107 per fight youthful drug use: While hard-core slashing of the staff by 80 percent at the gram. Heroin prices have fallen even more users are mostly beyond the reach of drug start of the Administration. sharply, from $1,647 per pure gram in 1992 to treatment professionals, today’s young peo- THE COMPONENTS OF A NEW ANTI-DRUG POLICY $966 per gram in February 1996.22 The in- ple can be dissuaded from going down the The President and Congress can retake the creased availability of such relatively cheap road that leads to hard-core addiction. In initiative in the continuing struggle against drugs has helped drive hard-core drug use— fact, those who reach age 21 without using drug use and the agents of the criminal net- as reflected in emergency room admissions— drugs almost never try them later in life. work that is exporting poison into America’s to record levels. Conversely, drug users almost always start neighborhoods. But this cannot happen with- While most drugs are produced in inacces- young, and almost invariably by smoking out the full leadership of the President and sible regions overseas, limiting the impact of marijuana.29 U.S.-sponsored eradication programs, the An About Face? With U.S. Army General his Administration. bulk of the marijuana consumed in the Barry McCaffrey’s appointment as the new The Administration must take several de- United States is produced domestically. Do- point man on drugs, the President indicated cisive steps: mestic marijuana eradication under the he was reversing his decision to gut ONDCP Use the bully pulpit. When President Bush Administration was highly successful— and discarding his misguided strategy of tar- George Bush gave the first national so successful, in fact, that marijuana became geting hard-core users. The editors of The primetime address of his presidency, it was more expensive, ounce for ounce, than gold. Washington Post called the change an on the drug issue. By doing this, he followed Hawaiian producers were forced to import ‘‘about face.’’ President Clinton was able to the example of visible and emphatic national marijuana to satisfy local demand for the capitalize on the installation of a tough- leadership set by President Reagan and First first time in recent history. minded general; White House aide Rahm Em- Lady Nancy Reagan. The national effort The Clinton Administration, however, has manuel was candid enough to say that the against drugs—carried on by parents, young deemphasized marijuana eradication. There changes were ‘‘what the President believes people, local people, local religious leaders, has been a 59 percent reduction in cultivated will help us improve on our record.’’ 30 neighbors, local law enforcement, educators, plants destroyed since 1992.23 The drug budg- Given the Clinton Administration’s pre- medical personnel, and local government of- et of the U.S. Park Service has been cut 22 vious track record, however, it remains un- ficials—gains immeasurably from strong, percent from the FY 1992 level,24 resulting in clear whether Director McCaffrey’s appoint- visible presidential support. But it is weak- a 47 percent reduction in plants eradicated ment means a genuine change in course. His ened considerably by the perception of presi- by the Park Service. Once again, increases in is a managerial position that accords him dential indifference. supply have fueled demand (use by 8th grad- little line authority, and his policy accom- Do more in Latin America. Fighting drugs ers has increased 184 percent since 1992) and plishments will depend largely on his will- at the source makes sense. Federal authori- caused prices to drop (marijuana prices are ingness and ability to take on the various ties ought to be going after the beehive, not at the lowest level in eight years). empires of the federal bureaucracy. This in just the bees. Foreign programs are also The ubiquitous availability of illegal turn will depend on the degree to which he is cheap and effective. drugs—de facto legalization—is confirmed by supported by the President of the United An example: America’s chronically under- the Administration’s own data. According to States. funded program in Peru will cost just $16 the latest White House report on drug use,25 Unfortunately, early indications suggest million to run in FY 1996. But targeting even heroin is now so cheap and pure that it has that Director McCaffrey may be reticent to that meager amount effectively can work. ‘‘driven new demand and drawn some former test the President’s commitment to an effec- The Peruvians have managed to shoot down addicts back into use.’’ Meanwhile, the tive anti-drug strategy. For instance, McCaf- or disable 20 trafficker airplanes since March availability of cocaine and crack is described frey recently sided with the Department of 1, 1995. Unfortunately Peruvian President as ‘‘high,’’ and marijuana is ‘‘plentiful and State in supporting a determination that Fujimori’s aggressive line on drugs actually potent’’ and ‘‘widely available’’ in all areas Mexico had ‘‘cooperated fully’’ with the caused President Clinton to bar Peru from of the country except California. United States on drug control matters, even receiving radar tracking data. That decision By making drugs more expensive, aggres- though the head of the DEA objected that has badly damaged Peruvian-American rela- sive interdiction and law enforcement efforts the government of Mexico had not done tions, but Fujimori has continued to work reduce use among particularly vulnerable enough to warrant that designation. This de- with the United States, and much more can inner-city populations by forcing addicts to termination was made even though the Ad- be done at very small cost. The Peruvian air spend their limited disposable income on a ministration could have waived the sanc- force currently uses obsolete A–37 jet train- smaller quantity of drugs.26 A cocaine addict tions that typically accompany decertifica- ers from the 1950s. For $50 million, the named ‘‘Joe,’’ interviewed for a book 27 on United States could equip the Peruvians the impact of cocaine, describes the phe- tion. This decision sounds a disturbing signal with new tracker aircraft, improved night- nomenon: ‘‘What keeps you from dying is about the degree of General McCaffrey’s le- flyer gear, and spare parts. This is an oppor- you run out of money.’’ Conversely, paring verage on drug questions. The United States tunity to save American lives by helping the back supply reduction programs hits hardest imports 400 tons of cocaine annually, 70 per- Peruvians press their attack on traffickers. those who are most heavily addicted and cent of it transshipped through Mexico. Yet In addition to helping countries like Peru, least able to resist drug use. Rising Emergency Room Cases. This phe- Mexico’s seizures have slumped to roughly the United States should make effective co- nomenon is evident in the record number of one-twentieth of the amount passing operation in fighting drugs one of the most drug-related emergency room admissions through their country. Arrest figures are important requirements for Latin nations that have followed in the wake of the Clin- down significantly, and the former presi- seeking good diplomatic and economic rela- ton Administration’s cuts to enforcement dent’s brother, Raul Salinas, has been ar- tions. and interdiction programs. (It is instructive rested on suspicion of ‘‘drug-related Set more sensible budget priorities. The that these record increases have occurred de- charges.’’ Four Mexican trafficking ‘‘confed- Department of Defense today is allowed to spite the Clinton strategy’s stated concern erations,’’ meanwhile, operate with relative spend only 0.3 percent of its budget on pre- for hard-core addicts, the primary popu- impunity. But President Clinton’s statement venting the inflow of drugs. The U.S. mili- lation captured by the emergency room sta- to Congress explained away Mexican inac- tary cannot solve the drug problem, but it tistics.) Compared with the first half of 1994 tion on the peso crisis and declared weakly can make a profound contribution to cutting (which was then the high water mark for that President Zedillo’s administration has the flow of drugs through interdiction. The drug-related emergency room cases), co- ‘‘set the stage for action against the major budget needs to reflect this national pri- caine-related emergencies have increased 12 drug cartels in Mexico.’’ 31 For too long, the ority. percent (from 68,400 to 76,800); heroin-related U.S. has accepted at face value repeated Reduce marijuana availability. The federal episodes have risen 27 percent (from 30,000 to Mexican promises of future aggressive action government urgently needs to restore leader- 38,100); marijuana-related episodes have in- against the drug trade. It is time for such ship to the fight against marijuana produc- creased 32 percent (from 19,100 to 25,200); and complacency to end. tion, trafficking, and use. Federal marijuana methamphetamine cases have jumped by a McCaffrey also appears to have had little penalties need to be stiffened, partly by staggering 35 percent (from 7,800 to 10,600) positive impact on recent high-level appoint- eliminating the loophole that allows mari- Hard-core addicts deserve access to treat- ments. For example, on June 12, 1996, Patri- juana smugglers to be treated far more le- ment, but experience teaches that the typ- cia M. McMahon was nominated to serve as niently than marijuana growers. Federal ical addict will cycle through the treatment his Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, eradication efforts need to be reinvigorated. system several times over a period of years a post that requires Senate confirmation. A Block lower crack sentences. Last year, before getting off drugs, with many never former Clinton campaign worker with little the United States Sentencing Commission reaching that goal. A 1994 RAND study found substantive background in drug policy, Ms. proposed steep reductions in sentences for that only 13 percent of heavy cocaine users McMahon’s appointment to a lower-level po- crack dealers. Those changes were blocked who receive treatment are either non-users sition was criticized by the Washington Post by statute. In its 1997 amendments cycle, the or light users at the end of a year. The study in the early days of the Clinton Administra- Sentencing Commission should be blocked, also found that 20 percent of heavy users tion as ‘‘an example of continued political and the Commission should be barred from continue to use drugs while in treatment.28 patronage.’’ 32 Her principal contribution to proposing changes in criminal penalties

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9024 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 where Congress has established mandatory But the complexity and the difficulty of the olds who use marijuana are 85 times more likely to minimum sentences, except in an advisory issue are no excuse for ineffective policy and graduate to cocaine than those who abstain from format that would require affirmative con- a lack of serious effort. marijuana. Prepared for the Heritage Foundation by 30 Ann Devroy, ‘‘About-Face; Clinton to Restore gressional action before taking effect. Staff He Cut from Anti-Drug Office,’’ The Wash- John P. Walters 34 and James F.X. O’Gara.35 Stop undercutting those drug treatment ington Post, March 6, 1996, p. A15. programs that do work. Taxpayers have FOOTNOTES 31 Memorandum from the President of the United heard the stories about waiting lists for drug 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, States to the Secretary of State, Certification of treatment. Waiting lists are not fiction— Preliminary Estimates for the 1994 National House- Major Narcotics Producing and Transit Countries, they do exist. On the other hand, one pro- hold Survey on Drug Abuse, September 1995. Statement of Explanation: Mexico, March 1, 1996. gram that rarely has waiting lists in Mitch 2 University of Michigan Institute for Social Re- 32 Michael Isikoff, ‘‘Drug Director Urged to Hire Rosenthal’s well-regarded Phoenix House, a search, Monitoring the Future, December 15, 1995. Hill Aides; Memo Asked Director to ‘Do Something’ 3 for Congressman Rangel,’’ The Washington Post, tough program where addicts spend 18–24 Ibid. 4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 19, 1993, p. A27. months literally learning to live new lives. Preliminary Estimates from the Drug Abuse Warn- 33 Sally Satel, ‘‘Yes, Drug Treatment Can Work,’’ Programs like Phoenix House have a proven ing Network, Advance Report No. 14, May 31, 1996. City Journal, Summer 1995. track record dating back to 1967. But they 5 Ibid. 34 John P. Walters is President of the New Citizen- are unpopular with addicts because, to quote 6 President Clinton’s message accompanying Office ship Project, an organization created to advance a one analyst, ‘‘a residential program with of National Drug Control Policy’s National Drug renewal of American institutions and greater citizen constricted freedom, rigorous rules, and en- Strategy, February 1994, p. iii. control over national life. During the Bush Adminis- 7 Hearing before the Senate Caucus on Inter- tration, he served as Acting Director and Deputy Di- forced separation from drugs is the last place national Narcotics Control, April 25, 1996. rector of the White House Office of National Drug most addicts want to find themselves, at 8 CNN News, January 31, 1994. Control Policy (ONDCP). least initially.’’ 33 Nevertheless these ap- 9 Hearing before House Subcommittee on National 35 James F.X. O’Gara is Director of Research for proaches work. Yet taxpayers today pay bil- Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Jus- the New Citizenship Project. He previously served as lions of dollars on drug treatment that al- tice, April 7, 1995. drug policy advisor to Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R- lows the addicts to decide for themselves 10 See note 1, supra. UT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, 11 The New York Times, March 26, 1993, referring to how rigorous and how long their treatment and has served as assistant to the Administrator for previous Clinton statements. Unfortunately for the DEA for foreign policy matters. will be. Not surprisingly, this arrangement President, his most memorable public statement in does not work very well. connection with the drug issue still was ‘‘I didn’t in- Mr. HATCH. I thank the distin- In addition, while many faith-based treat- hale.’’ guished Senator from Georgia for his ment programs report remarkable success 12 Wolfgang Munchau, ‘‘Clinton’s Team Split on leadership in this area, for being will- with the addicted, their religious character Drugs,’’ The Times (London), December 8, 1993. 13 ing to get out here and talk about usually bars them from receiving govern- In an interview with MTV, for example, when asked whether he would ‘‘inhale’’ given the chance these issues. I have been talking about ment treatment funds. In a break from cur- to ‘‘do it over again,’’ Clinton merely provoked them for a long time. I am dis- rent policy, Representatives Jim Talent (R– laughter: ‘‘Sure, if I could. I tried before.’’ MTV appointed we have not made more MO) and J.C. Watts (R–OK) have introduced interview, June 12, 1992. headway, but it certainly has not been a bill, the American Community Renewal 14 Hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Act of 1996 (HR 3467), which would allow the October 20, 1993. for lack of effort on the part of our neighborhood groups, including religious in- 15 Office of National Drug Control Policy, National friend from Georgia. Drug Control Strategy: Budget Summary, February I want to say in all honesty, we have stitutions, the same access to federal funds 1994. that is enjoyed by other drug treatment and 16 Prosecution figures are derived from the Execu- to fight this war. We have to give it ev- counseling facilities. States also would be tive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) as well as the erything we have. We have to have able to contract with these drug treatment Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO). The leadership at the top. We do not have it centers. Discrimination against effective re- AO and EOUSA numbers differ because the two enti- right now but we are going to keep this ties practice a different ‘‘leading charge’’ system; ligiously based programs should end. Tax- pressure on until we get it, one way or payer funding for drug treatment should be only the AO includes misdemeanor cases; and the AO includes cases brought by magistrate judges. the other. tied strictly to results, religiously based pro- 17 H.G. Reza, ‘‘Drug Runners Arrested at Border I yield the floor. grams should be eligible for funding, and ad- Often Go Free; Smuggling: Crackdown Leads to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- dicts who seek publicly funded treatment More Seizures, but Jail Overcrowding and Clashing should be required to enter rigorous pro- Priorities Force Suspects; Release,’’ The Los Ange- ator from Georgia. grams and face real sanctions if they fail to les Times, May 12, 1996, p 1. Mr. COVERDELL. I thank the Sen- complete them. 18 Robert C. Bonner, ‘‘Clinton’s Flawed Drug- ator from Utah for, as he has acknowl- Smuggling Policy,’’ San Diego Union-Tribune, June CONCLUSION edged, long and diligent work in this 4, 1996. arena. A lot of Americans can be par- The Clinton Administration has a poor 19 In 1989 constant dollars, the interdiction budget record in fighting the war on drugs. Interdic- declined from $1.73 billion in FY 1992 to $1.05 billion ticularly thankful for that work. tion efforts and prosecution for illegal drugs in FY 1996. Mr. HATCH. I thank my colleague. 20 are down, illegal drug usage and emergency Customs cocaine seizures fell from 35.4 metric Mr. COVERDELL. I appreciate his re- tons (mt) in FY 1993 to 10.7 mt in FY 1994. Coast marks this morning. At this time I room admissions are up, and there has been Guard cocaine seizures fell from 15.4 mt in FY 1993 an absence of credible presidential leadership to 4.4 mt in FY 1994. yield up to 10 minutes to the Senator on this issue. Part of the problem also has 21 The ‘‘disruption rate’’ is the total amount of co- from Arizona. been a failure in personnel management: the caine and marijuana that is seized, jettisoned, or The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- inability or unwillingness to appoint effec- ‘‘aborted’’ (returned to the source country as a re- ator from Arizona is recognized for up sult of interdiction or law enforcement presence). tive leaders in key positions to articulate to 10 minutes. and enforce a strong anti-drug message, as Data sheet from Joint Interagency Task Force-East, Key West, Florida, April 26, 1996. The daily disrup- Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I thank the well as inappropriate reductions in staff at tion rate fell from 435.1 kgs/day in 1993 to 228.7 kgs/ Senator from Georgia for organizing agencies dedicated to dealing with the prob- day in 1994, and still further to 158.1 kgs/day during this time to speak about this incred- lem on the front lines. With the appointment the first 15 weeks of 1996. of General Barry McCaffrey as Director of 22 U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement ibly important issue. While we do not the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Administration, and Abt Associates, Average Price intend this to be an issue that is par- this situation may improve, although the and Purity of Cocaine in the United States, Average tisan in nature, as the Senator from McMahon appointment is far from encour- Price and Purity of Heroin in the United States, May 28, 1996. Utah, the distinguished chairman of aging. 23 According to the Department of Justice, 3.04 the Judiciary Committee, has just American taxpayers need and deserve pres- million cultivated plants were eradicated in 1995 pointed out, although this is clearly a idential leadership on this issue. Members of compared to 7.49 million eradicated in 1992. bipartisan effort, or should be, it is im- Congress also need to focus federal efforts on 24 The Park Service drug control budget was cut law enforcement and interdiction programs from $11.1 million in FY 1992 to $8.7 million in FY possible to deal with the issue without, that work, and fund only those rehabilita- 1996. I think, criticizing some of the people 25 tion programs that have a track record of Office of National Drug Control Policy, Pulse who have been unable thus far, or un- Check: National Trends in Drug Abuse, June 1996. willing, to fight this war on drugs, to success. One way Congress can do this is to 26 For example, a 43 percent increase in cocaine allow funding for drug counseling and drug prices in 1990 (the first such increase in five years) level that criticism as a way of point- rehabilitation programs provided by reli- paralleled a 27 percent reduction in cocaine-related ing out what needs to change. gious organizations. Congress and the states emergency room admissions and overdoses (the first I would not be so willing to do this if also should undertake a tough re-evaluation such reduction in 12 years). 27 Eugene Richards, Cocaine True, Cocaine Blue President Clinton had not made this a of existing grant recipients to make sure partisan political issue in the first that funding is going to programs that work (Aperture). 28 C. Peter Rydell and Susan S. Everingham, Con- best in reducing dependency on illegal drugs. place. That is what angers me so much. trolling Cocaine: Supply Versus Demand Programs We just saw the Senator from Utah, America’s illegal drug problem is complex (Santa Monica, Cal.: RAND, 1994). and presents a special challenge for policy- 29 According to the Center on Addiction and Sub- the distinguished chairman of the Judi- makers in Congress and the White House. stance Abuse at Columbia University, 12- to 17-year- ciary Committee, point out that from

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9025 1980 to the end of 1992, during the time role model. When his chief spokesman the mandatory minimum sentences for of Republican administrations, drug tosses off his drug use with a mere cav- drug trafficking * * *.’’ Statistics re- use on all fronts had declined dramati- alier ‘‘of course, I did,’’ inferring that leased by the Administrative Office of cally. In the Presidential campaign of everybody did, that suggests it is be- the U.S. Courts reveal that, although 1992, here is what then-candidate Bill havior that is acceptable. It is against drug use is going up, the number of in- Clinton had to say: the law and it is not acceptable behav- dividuals prosecuted for Federal drug [President Bush] hasn’t fought a real war ior. violations is going down. That is what on crime and drugs. I will. So, when the people at the highest we have to change. This de facto strat- Maybe if he had not said that, maybe levels in the White House treat the egy of the administration in fighting if he had not made that promise, I issue so cavalierly, is it no wonder the drugs was to deemphasize interdiction, would not be so critical of him today young people in our country, who are law enforcement and prevention and for failing to keep that promise. But as obviously susceptible to this kind of concentrate on treatment. Yet, as has the chart that Senator HATCH just language, treat it cavalierly as well? been pointed out, treatment is not the showed us reveals, from the time that Yet this is the same White House that answer to this problem. It is only one President Clinton took office, drug use is blasting Senator Dole for his com- small piece of the puzzle. And a 1994 among young people in all of the cat- ments that not necessarily everyone is study by the Rand Corp. found that 27 egories increased. So you saw during addicted to tobacco use. It seems to me percent of hardcore drug users contin- the entire time of the Reagan and Bush there is a gross double standard here, ued hardcore use while undergoing administrations drug use going down at a minimum. But that at maximum, treatment. And fully 88 percent of and then, when President Clinton took one might say, more important, for the them returned to hardcore drug use office, drug use sharply going up. That young people in our country this ad- after treatment. So the recidivism rate is why it angers me to go back and see ministration has squandered the assets was very, very high. statements like this during the cam- that had been brought to bear in the Let me just hesitate here to make a paign 4 years ago, when he criticized war on drugs, had squandered the suc- point. In criticizing the administra- President Bush for not being tough on cess of the Bush and Reagan adminis- tion’s efforts here, again I do not in- drugs, and said he would fight the war trations when drug use was brought tend to be partisan. There have been a on drugs. He has not done it and that is substantially down. lot of Democrats who have been equal- Senator HATCH has pointed out many why we are critical here today. ly critical. Senator BIDEN, the ranking of the things that have occurred during It is not to try to throw barbs at the Democrat on the Senate Judiciary this administration, like the drug President, but to try to get him on Committee, said: board on this issue, because this is crit- czar’s office staff being cut more than ical for the future of the United States 80 percent. After a year of leaving the This President is silent on the matter. He and for our kids. Specifically, when drug czar’s office vacant, finally the has failed to speak. usage of hard drugs among White President selected Lee Brown, who was Representative Charles Rangel, a House personnel was finally revealed in only in office for a few months. His Democrat from New York whose dis- the media, after having been denied by major initiative was to have ‘‘Big trict has a very serious problem in this Presidential spokesmen, we get the League Chew’’ bubble-gum removed regard said: kind of reaction that Senator HATCH from convenience store chains. It did just pointed out, coming from the not do much to fight the war on drugs. I’ve been in Congress for over two decades Then he appointed as our Nation’s and I have never, never, never seen a Presi- White House, that suggested that using dent who cares less about this issue. drugs is no big deal. It was Leon Pa- top health official Joycelyn Elders, netta 2 years ago who attacked House who said ‘‘[I] do feel we would mark- So I am not just speaking from the Speaker NEWT GINGRICH for his com- edly reduce our crime rate if drugs perspective of a Republican, Mr. Presi- ment that the delay in the White were legalized.’’ In one sense I suppose dent. I am speaking as someone who House granting clearance to a large if you remove all prohibitions on ille- cares about our future and who has group of staffers might be in part due gal activity, you reduce the illegal noted it is people on both sides of the to drug use by some of the staffers. drug use rate, at least measured aisle who are deeply committed to That was the information people had against what it was during the war on fighting this war who are also critical at the time, but it was not then con- drugs, but that is obviously not the of this administration. firmed. Here is what Leon Panetta way to protect the future of America’s The chairman of the Judiciary Com- said: children. Particularly since we under- mittee pointed out that marijuana use We cannot do business here with a Speaker stand that the use of drugs such as is up; that one in three high school sen- of the House who is going to engage in these marijuana leads to the use of much iors now uses marijuana. That is an as- kind of unfounded allegations. harder drugs. That is why the Presi- tounding statistic. Why is it impor- The people at the White House at dent’s reduction in requests for funding tant? Because, as I said a moment ago, that time knew those were not un- from interdiction to law enforcement according to surveys by the Center on founded allegations. Now, 2 years later, have not been welcomed by the Con- Addiction and Substance Abuse, 12- to the news accounts report that in fact gress, and why the Congress has want- 17-year-olds who use marijuana are 85 at least a dozen staffers were taken on ed to fund those programs at a higher times more likely to graduate to co- board, over the objection of the FBI level. caine than those who don’t use mari- and Secret Service because of their Just summarizing what Senator juana. hard core drug use. Now what do the HATCH said a moment ago, with the re- So those who argue that marijuana spin meisters at the White House talk duction in the officers from FBI, INS, use, so-called ‘‘soft drugs,’’ are not im- about? Of course they are no longer un- Customs Service and Coast Guard, they portant are ignoring scientific evidence founded accusations. Now it is just the would have lost 621 drug enforcement that almost all of the people who use excuse that, well, everyone was doing agents had the Congress not put the those kinds of drugs graduate to harder it. Press Secretary Mike McCurry: funding back in. And he mentioned the drugs. That is why it is so important to I was a kid in the 1970’s. You know, did I fact we did not train special agents of smoke a joint from time to time? Of course, the DEA in 1993. But when the Congress stop this drug use at that level. I did. And the FBI knows that, and that was has finally insisted on increasing the What can we do to recapture the ini- in my background file. drug interdiction effort, for example in tiative on this war on drugs? First of The ‘‘of course, I did’’ is what bothers the bill we just dealt with last week, all, on interdiction, the action we just so many of us. The White House is the we get emphasis—indications from the took last week, we have to see renewed ultimate bully pulpit in the United White House that they will support efforts by Federal agencies responsible States. The tone set there permeates those increases. I hope that is true. for fighting drugs to spend greater re- our entire culture. Our young people According to the Wall Street Jour- sources, identifying the sources, meth- look to the President for his leadership nal, the Attorney General, Janet Reno, ods and individuals involved in traf- on issues, to set an example, to be a ‘‘announced that she wanted to reduce ficking.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9026 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 1996 Enforcement I mentioned a moment It goes on. This editorial says: gia Republican’s words, said Newsday, were ago. Drug prosecution under this ad- Then the sky fell in. ‘‘We cannot do busi- laced with the kind of innuendo which fueled ministration has decreased. Those vio- ness here with a Speaker of the House who is McCarthy’s witch hunt. To Herblock, the lating our drug laws must be pros- going to engage in these kinds of unfounded Washington Post venerable cartoonist, Ging- allegations,’’ fumed Panetta. He lashed Ging- rich was McCarthy, cruelly blackening rep- ecuted, and we have to make sure those utations with a broad brush. who are profiting from the drug trade rich for behaving like an out-of-control talk show host, for making an absolutely false ac- I think there are a lot of people who are severely punished. cusation, for trafficking in smear and innu- Finally, education and prevention. owe the Speaker an apology. This at- endo. tack was very harmful to this gen- Kids need to learn and be constantly George Stephanopoulos has labeled Ging- reminded that drugs are harmful, and rich ‘‘irresponsible.’’ Hillary Clinton said, tleman, and you alluded to it. There is that is where the President’s bully pul- ‘‘So unfair.’’ Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers no way that all of these people in the pit comes in. called them ‘‘reckless charges.’’ White House could not have known They laughed at President Reagan McCarthyism was alluded to. That about the problems they were having and his wife when they said that we was the beginning of the demonization in getting White House clearance. I be- should ‘‘just say no.’’ I think they were of the Speaker. Let me ask this ques- lieve they not only owe him an apol- making a big mistake. We know the tion of the Senator from Arizona. ogy, but they owe him an apology at President has to say no. Don’t you think these people owe him the same level to which they leveled Mr. President, I ask for 30 seconds an apology? this attack: a public apology from all more from the Senator from Georgia, Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I am so glad of them, not just one of them on their since I know my time has expired. that the Senator from Georgia has behalf. Mr. COVERDELL. I yield another asked that question, because now that Mr. KYL. If the Senator from Geor- minute to the Senator from Arizona. this has been reported on in the media gia will yield for a moment, the point Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I appreciate 2 years after the fact and some people here is not to extract an apology for that. That will enable me to make this from the White House have, appar- the sake of an apology, but rather, I final point. ently, acknowledged that there is truth think, to make a larger point. We are doing our part in Congress to to these allegations, I think that every Clearly, when the Speaker of the revitalize this war on drugs. We just one of the people who smeared House House is vilified the way he was with- passed the Commerce, State, Justice Speaker NEWT GINGRICH not only owe out good reason, and we know now in- appropriations bill, which will improve him an apology—and it should be a correctly if not with animus, he is our enforcement and interdiction ef- very direct and specific apology—for owed an apology. But the point of these forts. It increases the funding substan- the comments that the Senator from attacks was to try to distract atten- tially. I think, however, once we have Georgia just read, but they owe an tion away from the specific charge and done this, the President is going to apology to the American people, be- the problem that was being alluded to have to help us regain the initiative by cause they, in smearing him, suggested by the Speaker. demonstrating that the administration that he was lying, that he was not tell- That is where I think these people is just as concerned about this effort as ing the truth, that the allegations were owe an apology to the American public, is the Congress. Of course, another op- unfounded, when, in fact, they either because they were trying to divert at- tion is to elect a President who really knew or should have known what was tention away from a condition, a prob- seems to care about this effort. But going on in the White House, why those lem, and it is very much like the way that is another matter. clearances had not been granted. the administration has treated this Let me say in conclusion, this effort Therefore, it is they who were mis- drug war from the very beginning. should be bipartisan. It has to be co- leading the American public by sug- It is basically a nonwar, and that is ordinated. The President and the Con- gesting that what he said was untrue. why drug use has gone up during this gress have to join in the effort, and we So I have been wondering for some administration’s tenure. They have to have to convince the younger people in time when we would receive an apol- focus back on the fact that what they our country that the trend of drug use ogy, and I think it is as important that say matters. The way the President that is now going up must be reversed the House Speaker receive an apology. acts matters a great deal, especially to if their future is going to be great and I happened to see the Sunday morn- the young people in this country. if the future of America is going to be ing talk show when Speaker GINGRICH He is the first really young new-gen- great, because all Americans bear the said what he said. I saw him say it, and eration President here. As a result, I cost of drug abuse through increased I thought at the time, ‘‘Boy, he was think young people really look to crime and increased taxes to pay for certainly careful how he repeated that President Clinton because he is young- welfare and other social programs and allegation because it was all over the er than most of the Presidents have all the other costs to society that can’t news media.’’ been in recent years. When they see be measured. He was very careful in saying, ‘‘Now, him act in a relatively cavalier way, It is time to resume the drug war. I’m not making allegations, this is then they are going to pick up on that. America’s future is at stake. what a high-ranking official told me, That appears to be what is happening, I commend the Senator from Georgia and if it is true, it’s very bad.’’ if you look at the statistics. for taking this time so we can empha- Well, all of the qualifications went So again, while it is important to size the issue and get on with this im- out the window when all the White apologize to the Speaker, because what portant effort. House pack dogs immediately attacked they said about him was extraor- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I him the next day suggesting he was the dinarily unfair and inaccurate, I think wonder if the Senator from Arizona one who was some kind of wild accuser it is more important, again, that they will stay with us for just a moment. here. get back on track in fighting the war I would like to read an editorial that That is why I think the Senator from on drugs by apologizing to the country appeared in the Boston Globe on Tues- Georgia hits the nail right on the head as a whole for trying to distract atten- day, July 23. It relates to his remarks. when he suggests that each one of tion from the problem in the White It quotes Speaker GINGRICH in Decem- these people owes the Speaker a very House, trying to distract attention ber of 1994. He said on a television specific apology. And if I can go further from what was going on here in their show: and suggest they should apologize for inadequate effort to fight the war on I had a senior law enforcement official tell misleading the American people as me that, in his judgment, up to a quarter of drugs and refocus attention on the the White House staff, when they first came well. very, very difficult nature of this prob- in, had used drugs in the last 4 or 5 years. Mr. COVERDELL. If the Senator will lem. He said: yield. President Clinton has an extraor- On dozens of editorial pages— Now, that’s very serious. I’m not making dinarily great ability to be persuasive, any allegation about any individual person, I am quoting— to demonstrate that he cares about but it’s very clear that they had huge prob- there were comparisons to the most infa- things. And if he were to mount the po- lems. mous demon in American history. The Geor- dium with the same sincerity that

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:35 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S29JY6.REC S29JY6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS July 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9027 Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan did responsible, they cannot or will not fig- the dramatic rise in teenage drug and George and Barbara Bush to tell ure out who hired him. Based on this abuse. If there are any of my col- the young people of today why it is so White House’s public assertions about leagues who have not acquainted them- destructive for them to begin this path hiring practices in the world’s most selves with the realities of what is hap- of doing drugs, I think he could be important household, Rosy the Bag pening with kids and drugs today, I enormously helpful. He could be so Lady could have moved locations from urge them to take a look at the facts. powerful in his appeal and reach to Lafayette Park into the West Wing, I think that what they will find will these young people. gotten a White House pass, and set up disturb them. In brief, by whatever So instead of obfuscating the issue shop with no one the wiser. standard you use or reporting system and accusing others of making too big As in the files case, it is the principle that we currently have to tell us about a deal out of it, as they did with Speak- that matters in the White House’s atti- drug use, teenage use is on the rise. er GINGRICH, I think they ought to try tude about drug use. It is what actions In the last several years, after more to focus on what they can do to help. It there say publicly about what is hon- than a decade of decline, we are seeing would be a tremendous benefit if they ored and what should be cultivated. returning drug use that is wiping out would do that. I thank the Senator Perhaps it should come as no surprise all the gains that we had made. What is from Georgia. that a President who did not inhale just as alarming, teenage attitudes about the dangers of drug use are also f should see no problem in hiring known drug users to sit on the world’s most changing for the worse. Today’s kids CULTIVATING THE FUTURE visible front porch. But what is of more see drugs as far less of a problem than Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, a concern than this peculiar tolerance is did kids just a few years ago. Even wise man once said that what is hon- the response of the President’s spokes- worse, drug use today is starting even ored in a society is cultivated there. In man to the issue. Let me quote his re- earlier. We are now seeing the problem other words, what a society believes is marks. ‘‘I was a kid in the 1970’s,’’ he affect 11 and 12 year olds. Unless you important and respects, it will teach said. ‘‘You know, did I smoke a joint believe that drug legalization for kids its children and demand in its public from time to time? is a realistic option or a responsible life. I have been concerned in the last Of course, I did.’’ Of course? There is policy, then you cannot ignore what is few days by what it seems to me that a lot of consequence in that ‘‘of happening under our very noses, in our we are honoring in our society. And I course.’’ As Mr. Bennett, the country’s homes, schools, backyards, and front am concerned because of that about first drug czar noted, that ‘‘of course’’ porches. In this context, do you think that re- what we may be cultivating for the fu- is very disturbing. Mr. Bennett asks a marks like the President’s or Mr. ture. very important question: ‘‘What ex- McCurry’s do not matter? Let us not I am concerned about what we have actly did Mr. McCurry mean by ‘of kid ourselves about kids. What the learned in the past few days and weeks course’? That every young person used White House says publicly is one of the about the attitudes the Clinton White drugs in the 1970’s? Or that it was no House has about security clearances ways we communicate lessons about big deal?’’ In either case, as Mr. Ben- what we honor and should cultivate. and security procedures in general. I nett notes, the President’s spokesman am also concerned about drug use, re- That the White House understands this is wrong. He not only has the facts is clear from what it has to say on spect for privacy, and regard for simple wrong, he has now put the White House facts straightforwardly presented. I am other issues. On this issue, however, behind the notion that drugs are no big the message is anything but clear. concerned about what attitudes on deal. In March of this year, I co-chaired a these issues, coming from the Nation’s Mr. McCurry’s words are very reveal- Senate-House Task Force on National first household, are communicating to ing. They are dismissive of the idea Drug Policy. Bob Dole and NEWT GING- the public. I am particularly troubled that drug use is of any serious concern. RICH established the task force to take about the White House’s seemingly They indicate an indifference to the re- a look at the problem and recommend cavalier attitude about drug use and alities of drug use. And, for a White solutions. The report from that effort about the message that this careless House whose clearest competency is in documents not only the present trend viewpoint is sending. message management, it shows a re- in drug use among kids, but the poli- Based on reporting in the Wash- markable ignorance of the importance cies or lack of policies by the Clinton ington Post, ‘‘The Secret Service in of using the bully pulpit of Presidency administration to deal with the prob- 1993 balked at granting permanent to send a clear, antidrug message. We lem. I invite all of my colleagues, the passes to about a dozen people in the need to remind ourselves that Mr. press, and the public to take a look at Clinton White House because of con- McCurry did not make these remarks what the task force learned. It is sober- cerns about recent use of illegal drugs in private. He is no babe in the woods. ing. that in some instances included crack He did not get trapped. He did not One of the essential findings of the cocaine or hallucinogens....’’ But speak out thinking that the micro- report, which is hardly new, was that this is not all. The problem was evi- phones were turned off. Mr. McCurry the bully pulpit for sending messages dently so serious as to require the un- made these remarks to the press as the about what is right and wrong, good precedented step of establishing a spe- chief spokesman for the President of and bad, must be central to any drug cial drug-testing program in the White the United States. Say what you will, policy. As the report notes, we must be House. We have heard that this in- his remarks are now an indelible part consistent in our message. We must volves only a few people. But then we of the public record. So too, are the have words and deeds that are com- also heard from the same White House White House’s attitudes to drug use re- plementary not contradictory. that there were only a few unauthor- vealed here. Democrats and Republicans over the ized FBI files. That story had to be re- I am sure that in the next few days last several years, however, have re- vised several times as the numbers we will have more clarifications about peatedly noted that the administra- grew. Perhaps that will not happen the position. I am sure that these clari- tion, and particularly the President, here, but the numbers are not really fications will include the typical accu- have been virtually silent on the drug the issue. sations that discussion of the issue at issue. The only serious pronounce- What is of concern is the principle. In all is just partisan politics. But, what ments that anyone here or elsewhere the files case, one file improperly ob- remains is a public demonstration likely remembers about this adminis- tained, illegally reviewed, and care- about how this White House thinks tration’s drug policy was the Presi- lessly kept was too many. In any nor- about drugs. It reflects a casualness dent’s remark that he didn’t inhale. mal operation, the person responsible about the drug problem that is commu- That and the repeated public state- for this chain of slipshod management nicated to the public. It is a commu- ments by the Surgeon General of the would be identified, fired, and, if a nication that, frankly, concerns me a United States calling for consideration crime was committed, prosecuted. In great deal. of drug legalization. Except for these the present case, however, the White On a number of occasions I have less than inspiring remarks, the drug House not only does not know who was raised my concern on this floor about issue simply disappeared in the first

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