Speech by Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-California), March 29, 2000

Speech by Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-California), March 29, 2000
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment sponsored by my colleague Mrs. Pelosi of California. This amendment, which recognizes the need to focus on reducing supply and decreasing demand in the fight against drugs, promotes a common sense approach to this problem. It devastates homes, communities and our nation at large. When excessive youth drug abuse, reduced treatment facilities and scare prevention services are the norm; we need to act. The Pelosi amendment does act. This measure adds much needed funds to drug prevention and treatment programs which are making a difference in the war against drugs.

If we fund $1.3 billion for `Plan Colombia' to reduce supply internationally, less than half of that money will be used for treatment service and prevention programs to reduce demand domestically. It is reprehensible to support a plan which authorizes money for Colombia's drug interdiction programs, when there are 5.7 million Americans in need of substance abuse treatment. In addition, it is not responsible drug policy to stop the supply of drugs from Colombia while virtually ignoring the fact that the demand for drugs especially among our youth has gone largely unchecked.

As the Representative of a mostly minority district I am keenly aware of the devastating affect that drugs has on the minority community. Drugs abuse and related illnesses such as HIV and AIDS have debilitating effects on women, people of color and the poor. If a $1 investment in drug abuse prevention will save $15 in reduced health, justice and other societal cost, most of which are felt within the minority community, it is logical to conclude that prevention programs are needed just as much as interdiction programs.

Yes, we need to address the supply of drugs to this nation but not at the cost of neglecting the treatment needs of this nation's addicts and our youth who are being lured into the drug trap every day. Let us put our drug control funds to use in programs that will be of greatest benefit to Americans. Successful drug prevention programs benefit individuals, families, communities, and this country. The country of Colombia cannot ensure the welfare of our citizens; we can. I strongly support the Pelosi amendment.

As of March 30, 2000, this document was also available online at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r106:H29MR0-173: