Paul Coverdell: “this past week, in one of many revelations about what I have characterized as a national drug epidemic in our country in…”

“this past week, in one of many revelations about what I have characterized as a national drug epidemic in our country in the last 36 months, it is hard to believe the policy reversals could lead to such dramatic behavioral changes so quickly. The national parents organization called PRIDE, which is headquartered in Atlanta, issued a press release this past week. It is just stunning. The percent of illicit drug use by 12th graders, annual usage is up 43 percent; monthly usage is up 67 percent; weekly, 88 percent; daily use, up 147 percent. These are 12th graders. Percent of illicit drug use by 6th to 12th graders, from 1987-88 to 1995-96, annual use up 58 percent; monthly, 72 percent; weekly, 88 percent; daily use, 126 percent. It just goes on and on. This, of course, tracks the report issued by our own Government within the last several months, except this is even more alarming and more comprehensive. To read one quote from Doug Hall, who is the executive director of this prestigious organization, he says, ``This is not so-called recreational use. This is marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and amphetamines. This is not experimentation. This is monthly, weekly, and daily drug use. This is a human tragedy.'' What is irritating about this is that our Attorney General has said very recently, drug use is really getting better. The Attorney General needs to read this report. The administration needs to read this report.”