Danny Davis: “I rise in support of H.R. 2829, Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005, a policy which addresses prevention…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2829, Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005, a policy which addresses prevention, interdiction and treatment, as well as all aspects of law enforcement. The use and abuse of illegal, illicit and contraband drugs is one of the most challenging and difficult problems facing America. For example, in Cook County where I live, in a survey that was taken a couple of years ago, 800,000 individuals indicated that they used drugs, 800,000. I grant you that we have a population of over 5 million people but 800,000 of those said that they used illicit drugs; 300,000 indicated that they were what we call hard core drug users, every day or whenever they could find the money to purchase what they need. As a matter of fact, the Chicago police records suggest that 75 percent of all the people that they arrest test positive for drug use.”