Rob Portman: “I will tell my colleagues one thing we know which is conclusive which is that the message counts. If we learned anything…”

“I will tell my colleagues one thing we know which is conclusive which is that the message counts. If we learned anything in the last 30 years in this country, it is that the message does matter. We reduced drug substance abuse in this country from 1979 to 1991 by over 70 percent by sending a clear and consistent message that drug use is wrong and that it is dangerous. This sends the wrong message. That is why this legislation is necessary. I think General McCaffrey got it right. I think if we are really serious about reducing drug abuse in this country, and remember teenage drug abuse has doubled in the last 5 years, it has doubled and continues to go up, it has got to be our top public health priority, it has got to be our top crime reduction priority, it has got to be our top education priority if we are going to turn the corner, if we are going to make a difference in this, and unfortunately needle exchange does not fit in that.”