IA

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 236

Designating August 7, 1993, as ‘‘Drug Free Day’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 23, 1993

Mr. RANGEL introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating August 7, 1993, as ‘‘Drug Free Day’’.

Whereas in 1992, an estimated 11,400,000 Americans were

current illicit drug users;

Whereas in 1992, an estimated 9,000,000 Americans were

marijuana or hashish users;

Whereas frequent use of marijuana remained unchanged between 1991 and 1992 at about 5,200,000 users;

Whereas in 1992, 1,300,000 Americans were cocaine users;

Whereas frequent use of cocaine remained unchanged between 1991 and 1992 at about 640,000;

Whereas the price of illicit drugs has decreased;
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Whereas the purity of drugs, especially heroin, has increased;

Whereas heroin is causing an increasing proportion of the

health problems that bring people to the hospital;

Whereas our communities are again threatened by an epidemic of heroin addiction;

Whereas an estimated 70 percent of the nearly 650,000 State

prisoners have a history of drug use and 50 percent have

a drug problem requiring intensive treatment;

Whereas the number of cocaine users seeking emergency

room help increased to nearly 31,000 in 1992, 8.2 percent over the same period in 1991;

Whereas there have been no major changes in the prevalence

of the use of hallucinogens, such as LSD and PCP;

Whereas high school seniors have reported increased availability of LSD, crack cocaine, and heroin between 1991

and 1992;

Whereas eighth graders have reported increased availability

of cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana;

Whereas the rate of illicit drug use in 1992 was highest

among 18–25 year olds;

Whereas almost 11 percent of all juveniles confined in public

facilities were held for drug-related offenses;

Whereas eighth graders have reported higher rates of drug

use in 1992 than in 1991;

Whereas the rates of marijuana use among eighth graders

has increased;

Whereas 6.1 percent of seniors in the class of 1992 said they

had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime;
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Whereas among the graduating class of 1992, 40.7 percent

of students said they had used cocaine at least once in

their lifetime;

Whereas more than 3,000,000 young people aged 12–17 have

used an illicit drug within the past year;

Whereas more than 490,000 12–17 year olds have tried cocaine at least once in their lifetimes;

Whereas experimentation with inhalants among adolescents

continues to be unacceptably high;

Whereas 57 percent of children with AIDS were born to

mother who were intravenous drug users or sexual partners of intravenous drug users;

Whereas there still remains a serious drug problem, particularly among our Nation’s youth;

Whereas the drug epidemic cannot be controlled by efforts of

government and law enforcement alone;

Whereas there must be a wide-ranging effort including education, prevention, and treatment;

Whereas the pervasive problems of poverty, miseducation, and

poor health care are the root causes of drug abuse and

must be addressed in order to end the drug epidemic;

Whereas the important role that is played by the family must

be recognized and encouraged;

Whereas the efforts of our churches and other influential institution must be appreciated and encouraged; and

Whereas there should be a day when the total community focuses its attention on the eradication of drug addiction:

Now, therefore, be it
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1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That August 7, 1993, is designated as ‘‘Drug Free Day’’.

4 The President is authorized and requested to issue a proc5 lamation calling upon the people of the United States

6 to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and

7 activities.

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