I am pleased that we will have a chance today to discuss General McCaffrey’s 1998 National Drug Control Strategy. I applaud General McCaffrey and the Office of National Drug Control Policy for developing a long term strategy to reduce both the supply and demand for illegal drugs in the United States. It is my hope that this 10-year strategy, with a laudable goal of reducing illegal drug use in the nation by 50 percent over the next nine years, will help to de-politicize this office. Reducing the number of drug users and traffickers, and the closely-related high levels of crime and violence, in the U.S. are goals too important for us to waste time arguing over which political party or which President can claim credit. Partisan sniping will not reduce the number of babies born addicted to drugs, stop teens from beginning to use illegal drugs, or help adults overcome their addiction to drugs. I urge my colleagues to support this comprehensive national plan which combines national leadership with community-based efforts to further decrease illegal drug use in the United States.
General McCaffrey’s 10-year Strategy, backed by a five-year budget and new performance measures, should provide federal agencies the guidance and funding they need to reduce significantly the quantity of illegal drugs flowing into the United States as well as the rates of drug abuse. I am pleased that ONDCP has succeeded in establishing specific performance objectives in conjunction with over 50 federal agencies. With all of these agencies working in a coordinated fashion, the Strategy’s five primary goals, which include preventing teen drug use, reducing the health and social costs of drug use, making America safer, shielding America’s frontiers from drug trafficking and reducing supply sources, should have a much greater chance of being realized.
The National Drug Control Strategy also strikes the right balance by seeking increases in funding for interdiction, prevention and treatment efforts. Our nation’s only hope of reducing the scourge of illegal drug use is to simultaneously reduce the supply and demand for drugs. I am particularly pleased that ONDCP’s Strategy proposes a $256 million increase to teach youth to reject illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. If we can prevent youth from initiating illegal drug use, they are much more likely to avoid becoming addicted to drugs at a later age. And, we all know the long term health consequences for teens who begin to drink or smoke at an early age -- they are much more likely to remain chemically-dependent resulting in poor health and lost productivity later in life. I am also pleased that ONDCP is targeting funding toward research into youth drug use and addiction to help us better understand the unique needs of children and teenagers.
I am also eager to hear more details about ONDCP’s plans to fund additional border patrol agents, deploy new technologies, and launch new initiatives against heroin and methamphetamines, the latest drugs of choice. I urge General McCaffrey and his staff to ensure that these new resources and funding are shared equitably. Although the northern border of the United States historically has not been subject to as much drug trafficking as the southern border, these “trade routes” can change at any time. For example, right now, we are seeing more and more illegal drugs being transported through the Carribbean basin, and through Puerto Rico in particular. We need to make sure that the necessary interdiction resources are targeting this region. It is my hope that this Strategy will develop a flexible enough system so DEA agents, border patrol agents and related resources can rapidly shift to the areas in most need.
Finally, I am supportive of the Strategy’s efforts to close the gap between the number of drug addicts seeking treatment and the availability of treatment options. Currently, 1.7 million people are estimated to be in need of treatment, but unable to obtain it. That’s 1.7 million people who would have the chance to be more productive workers, better parents and healthier adults if they could obtain the treatment they need. ONDCP’s proposed $200 million in increased funding would certainly be money well spent. I am also pleased that ONDCP is recommending that an additional $85 million be made available to state and local governments who seek to provide drug testing and treatment for incarcerated drug offenders. Since over half of current jail inmates are substance abusers and there is a documented 73 percent decrease in the number of inmates re-arrested who complete drug treatment programs, it is crucial that we provide inmates the opportunity to kick a drug habit while incarcerated. Let’s make jail time productive so inmates have a real chance at contributing to society once they are released.
I hope my colleagues from both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting ONDCP’s 10-year Strategy. Let’s work together to re-authorize ONDCP so we can ensure a safer and healthier environment for our children and grandchildren.