Ernest Istook: “drug problems in the District of Columbia are America's problem, because Washington, D.C., is America's capital. I am…”

“drug problems in the District of Columbia are America's problem, because Washington, D.C., is America's capital. I am sorry to hear that the gentleman says that if you do not have a program to exchange drug needles, you are causing pain and suffering. No. Pain and suffering is caused by the use of drugs. Crime is caused by the use of drugs. Parents failing to take care of their kids is caused by the use of drugs. You are saying dirty needles cause pain and suffering? No, people injecting themselves with drugs cause pain and suffering. We are not talking about sewing needles here; we are talking about hypodermic syringes, needles for people to inject illegal drugs into themselves, and a program operating in broad daylight out on public streets to do these swaps. Bring in a dirty needle, get a clean needle, go shoot yourself up. I know a couple of people that the other day observed one of these sites, and it was an area where there were residences and small businesses. The van is there for a few hours, and just minutes after the van they used for the needle exchange pulls away, you know what pulled up? A school bus. It is a bus stop for school kids. The D.C. Council passed its own law declaring drug-free zones. The amendment of the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt) just says those areas that the District has already chosen to be drug-free zones should not be used for these programs to exchange drug needles. The D.C. Council defined them.”