Paul Coverdell: “If we can just step back for a moment and try to put this situation into perspective, it began with the inauguration of…”

“If we can just step back for a moment and try to put this situation into perspective, it began with the inauguration of President Clinton. The first sign from the White House was the suspension of the preemployment drug testing program at the White House of the United States. From that moment on, the message became clearer and clearer. We have heard all the statistics that have emanated since--a shutting down of the policy of interdiction, law enforcement, and education saying to America's youth that drugs are harmful. The result of these changed policies are these: America's youth today no longer think drugs are dangerous. That statistic has plummeted. So it should come as no surprise to any of us that usage has skyrocketed. They no longer are afraid because of signals like no more drug testing or, ``Let us legalize drugs,'' or, ``Let us shut the drug czar's office down,'' or do not mention drugs at all in 3 years. So that pulpit is shut off, the resources are shut off, our youngsters no longer think it is a problem, and they start exploring drugs. The result is that we have gone from just under 2 million using them to almost 4 million. So that means that 2 million American families and 2 million teenagers' lives are stunted or put at risk as a result of these policies that have been changed.”