Frank Lucas: “Whether we like it or not, some among us are expected to be role models. By sheer virtue of a media-intensive position…”

“Whether we like it or not, some among us are expected to be role models. By sheer virtue of a media-intensive position, actors, athletes, and politicians are often thrust into the role model limelight. That's why it comes as no surprise that after a substantial decline during the late 80's and early 90's, overall drug use nearly doubled in the last 4 years. It also should come as no surprise that those who idolize are often young and impressionable, and that overall drug use among 12- to 17- year-olds between 1992 and 1995 went up 78 percent. Mr. Speaker, starting from the top, those of us in Congress and those at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue should renew this Nation's commitment to fighting perhaps our most important war to date--the war on drugs.”