The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL ACT OF 1996” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S9978-S9979 on Sept. 5, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL ACT OF 1996
Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise in support of a bill, the International Narcotics Control Act of 1996, that was introduced yesterday. S. 2053 is a long overdue bill and I commend my colleague from Iowa for his work on this important legislation. Since 1986, we have had on a law requiring the President to certify that foreign countries are cooperating in the United States efforts to stop the flow of drugs into our borders. This law has not been revised for 10 years so it is critical that these important changes are made to ensure an effective antinarcotics effort.
The Foreign Assistance Act mandates that the President deliver to Congress a list of countries that have been fully cooperating with the United States to stop international drug trafficking as well as those that have failed to cooperate by the 1st of March of each year. The Department of State details the decision in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. For those countries that have been decertified, sanctions may be imposed, or a waiver can be given.
But the intent of the original act has been lost. Rather than sanctioning countries that are not cooperating with the United States to halt the flow of illegal drugs, the process has been stifled with other considerations. It is high time for changes to the law.
Timing could not be better. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released the preliminary estimates from the 1995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Let me quote from the initial study,
The percentage of adolescents (12 to 17 years old) using drugs increased between 1994 and 1995 continuing a trend that began in 1993. In 1992, the rate of past month use among youth age 12 to 17 reached a low of 5.3 percent, the result of a decline from 16.3 percent in 1979. By 1994 the rate had climbed back up to 8.2 percent, and in 1995 it increased again to 10.9 percent.
According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America,
overall use of all drugs among this age group rose 78 percent between 1992 and 1995, and 33 percent just between 1994 and 1995. In particular marijuana use among young people is up 105 percent since 1992, and 37 percent between 1994 and 1995. Monthly use of LSD and other hallucinogens is up 183 percent since 1992, and rose 54 percent between 1994 and 1995. Monthly use of cocaine rose 166 percent between 1994 and 1995.
It is clear that the number of teenagers using illicit drugs is rising--and that is unacceptable. After decades of working on reducing drug use, our young people are believing that it is OK to use drugs. The media, and even the administration, are sending signals that a little drug use is OK. It is not. The wrong message has been sent and it is time to change that. Teenagers must learn the harmful, even deadly, effects of illegal drug use.
The availability of illegal drugs must be curtailed. The best way to diminish accessibility is to stop drugs from crossing our borders. This bill would accomplish that goal.
International drug trafficking can only be halted with the full cooperation of a drug-producing or drug-transit country. It is imperative then, that foreign countries assist in the interdiction and prosecution of those responsible. We should expect this from our allies.
The provisions in the International Narcotics Control Act are comprehensive and tough. If a drug-producing or drug-transit country has failed to cooperate with the United States for 3 consecutive years, then sanctions must be applied. Decertification will no longer be a meaningless label to these countries.
The trade sanctions are particularly important to stopping the international drug trade. Trade sanctions will force the foreign country to sit up and take notice. Far too often, traffickers use legitimate commercial trade to smuggle illicit drugs into this country.
In addition, the administration has been less than forthcoming. Additional reporting requirements and notices to Congress will ensure that the American people are receiving prompt and accurate information.
I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on this measure and urge my colleagues to support this bill's immediate passage. The communities that are fighting the war on drugs--and our children--
deserve nothing less.
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