Chuck Grassley: “I spent much of the recent recess talking to constituents in my state about drug problems. It is clear to me after a…”

“I spent much of the recent recess talking to constituents in my state about drug problems. It is clear to me after a field hearing, numerous town meetings, and many conversations that the public is deeply concerned about the drug issue. This impression is confirmed by recent polls. Again and again, the public have indicted an abiding concern about the presence of drugs in our society. Parents, community leaders, and young people have repeatedly indicated that the availability and use of illegal drugs is among the most important issues affecting them. They expect the government to help them in fighting back. They expect our policies and programs to support community efforts to keep drugs off the streets, out of our schools, and away from our kids. But what do they find? I am sorry to say that the Clinton Administration is simply not making a convincing case that it is serious about the war on drugs. If I had doubts about this before, events of the last several days have removed them. I learned during recess that the Administration was planning to endorse needle exchange programs.”