John Mica: “This administration averted a disaster last week. Even after an avalanche of opposition from Congress and opposition…”

“This administration averted a disaster last week. Even after an avalanche of opposition from Congress and opposition from our national drug czar General McCaffrey did President Clinton weigh in to prevent Federal funding for drug needle exchange. Today, the House of Representatives, with this resolution, will make clear that this Congress does not intend to pay for free needles for drug addicts. This message needs to be heard by our Health and Human Services Secretary Shalala. This message needs to be heard by President Clinton's new Surgeon General Satcher. How inconceivable it is that our new Surgeon General, as his first and premier action in that position, has recommended and promoted this free drug needle exchange. We as a Nation have not yet recovered from the damage of President Clinton's former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders. Remember, if you will, her advocacy of a drug use policy that said to this Nation and our children, just say maybe. That policy was combined with our President's statement to our youth that, ``If I had it to do all over again, I'd inhale.'' Between the former Surgeon General and the President, drug use among our teens has soared through the ceiling since 1993. I am pleased that Congress today is cutting off this new Surgeon General at the pass. His proposal to give free needles to drug addicts with taxpayer dollars is absurd. It is like providing free cigarette holders to our schoolchildren.”