Romano Mazzoli: “drug use is one of the most growing and one of the most vexing and agonizing problems facing America today. To properly…”

“drug use is one of the most growing and one of the most vexing and agonizing problems facing America today. To properly deal with this, we need a manifold response, everything from stern law enforcement, unflinching sentencing and throwing the key away on the drug kingpins, to drug education, drug counseling and drug treatment, in prisons and out of prisons. One aspect in this national response, Mr. Speaker, we do not need is any talk of legalization of drugs, as has been mentioned for study by the Surgeon General of the country. I was, therefore, pleased this week when Secretary Shalala of the Department of Health and Human Services, in announcing the disquieting growth in drug use among young people in America, said illegal drugs will remain illegal. I would be reassured even further, Mr. Speaker, if the President would say again, as he has said in the past, that illegal drugs will remain illegal--that they will not be legalized on his watch. That is the proper approach, and I hope to hear it again many times in the months ahead.”