Date: 2006-03-09
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2829. the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act. Since its inception. the Office of National Drug Control Policy. better known as ONDCP. has been the cornerstone of drug policy in America. improving the lives of all Americans by reducing the presence of drugs in our society. This office has been producing results Americans need and want. Teen drug use is on the decline. and ONDCP deserves much of the credit for that. ONDCPs success means we are faced not with the question of whether to reauthorize it. but how best to do so. The many positive signs and trends reported in this years National Drug Control Strategy clearly demonstrate the difference the office can make with adequate resources and sound policy. Drug use and abuse is a national crisis that affects the health of all of our citizens. and because of this ONDCP must remain an active body in the executive office. In order to win the war on drugs. we need to address the problem of drugs in our society from every single angle. This legislation gives ONDCP the appropriate resources to stop drug use before it starts. heal drug users. and disrupt drug markets. We all kno* that drugs affect people from all walks of life. Addiction does not discriminate. A strong national drug policy is in the interest of every American. Mr. Chairman. this bill we bring to the floor today was crafted in true bipartisan fashion. It is a product of careful negotiations and strong bipartisan agreement. We aim to provide the best possible support for the administration and Director Walters in implementing the Presidents strategy. making a strong office even stronger. We sought to make ONDCP more efficient by reducing outdated reporting and structural requirements required by law. The bill also improves ONDCP and its programs by enhancing effectiveness and accountability in drug treatment and requiring greater diligence in addressing our Nations methamphetamine epidemic. We also gave significant attention to reforms of the National Youth AntiDrug Media Campaign and the HIDTA program to make them more effective. Both of these programs have grown in ways that were not originally intended. and the bill reflects the desire to ensure the programs remain accountable and dedicated to their core purposes. This bill recognizes the media campaign as an effective prevention tool and important element of the Federal Governments commitment to reducing teen drug use. We have all seen the wellknown advertisements on subjects such as drugs and terrorism. the consequences of marijuana use and parenting skills. These advertisements carry important messages to youth about the consequences of abuse and remind parents of the importance of keeping kids away from drugs. The media campaign works. and the message is being heard. It is preventing drug abuse before it starts. When it comes to addressing the complex dilemma of drug addiction. prevention is only one part of the equation. Treatment of substance abuse and addiction is also essential. Because addiction has so many dimensions and disrupts multiple aspects of an individuals life. treatment is never easy. Drug users need the support of family. friends. and institutions to help guide them in treatment and recovery. This bill gives ONDCP the tools to maintain and strengthen programs so Americans who need help can receive it and begin on a path to recovery. It also recognizes an important part of helping the addict is to remove the supply of drugs from our society. I have been to Colombia with Chairman SOUDER on numerous occasions. It is apparent to me that ONDCP is making every effort to attack the economic basis of the drug trade by disrupting markets at home and abroad. We need to continue to wage war on the supply side of the drug equation while reaffirming our commitment to addressing the demand side as well. I want to thank Chairman SOUDER. Ranking Member CUMMINGS. and my ranking member. HENRY WAXMAN. for their leadership and hard work on this reauthorization legislation. I am happy we could reach bipartisan agreement on this bill since there is no place for partisanship in protecting our children .against drugs. This bipartisanship was reflected in a unanimous vote to pass this bill out of our committee. I am confident that we have put together a cohesive. effective piece of legislation that gives ONDCP the necessary tools to reduce elicit drug use. manufacturing. trafficking. drugrelated crime and violence and drugrelated health consequences. Americas families need this legislation. I urge support of all of my colleagues for H.R. 2829 to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy.