Chuck Grassley: “the most recent High School survey of teen drug use tells us something. After years of dramatic increases in drug use…”

“the most recent High School survey of teen drug use tells us something. After years of dramatic increases in drug use among 12-18 years old, we may have a leveling off. The numbers are down, but only barely. At this rate of decline, we will reach the modest goals for drug reduction set by the present Administration in the year 2050. The Administration seems to find this good news. At least, they find the present leveling off something to crow about. Frankly, I think these numbers are the occasion for a little more modesty and whole lot more work. That's what the Congress has been doing. The 105th Congress passed major legislation to fight drugs. It put more money and more muscle into efforts that the Administration has ignored or downgraded. We did this because we saw the consequences--more teen drug use. Today, we continue that effort. Our goal is not to claim bragging rights about statistically minor changes but to make real changes through serious efforts. Today, we introduced the ``Drug Free Century Act.'' This is a comprehensive bill that will be one of the main agenda items for the 106th Congress.”