Today, I stand before you as the senior Democratic Member serving on the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources. Thanks to all of you, this is a far happier moment for me than when I practiced law in this courtroom. This is your moment, ladies and gentlemen, so I will just make two quick points, and then I will sit down. My first comment is personal. Nothing is more important than our shared search for answers to the drug abuse and violence which afflict America.
Drugs are the slavery of our time.
I spent most of my early childhood in South Baltimore. I mourn the friends I have lost, but I came here today to think about the future, not the past. As a community, Baltimoreans are distressed and outraged about drug-dealing in our neighborhoods. Baltimore City Police receive over 15,000 drug complaints each year. I live near Madison and North Avenues, so I have the opportunity to witness the slavery of drugs every day.