WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, ILLICIT DRUGS ARE IDENTICAL

The events of Sept. 11 forced this country to think about government's
number one obligation to its citizens, providing security.

The events of Sept. 11 galvanized an immediate national intent to defeat
terrorism. However, the illicit use of drugs continues, and efforts to stop
such use often lack the same immediacy.

We need to realize -- right now -- the war on illicit drugs and the war on
terrorism are inextricably linked; in many respects, they are one and the
same war.

By tracing the money, tactics, geography and politics of terror and drug
organizations, one can very quickly see the close connections.

Very simply, illicit drug use by Americans directly and immediately
supports terrorist operations.

Many terror networks use drug sales as an important part of their financial
infrastructure.

We know at least 12 of the 28 terror organizations identified by our
Department of State traffic in drugs.

Drug income is the primary source of revenue for the most powerful
international terrorist groups.

For example, Columbia's two major terrorist organizations are absolutely
dependent upon the drug trade in America.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia receives about $300 million from
drug sales annually, while the terrorist United Self Defense Forces of
Colombia rely on the illegal drug trade for 40-70 percent of their income.

Peru's terrorist Shining Path is extremely dependent on drug money.

The Taliban, Osama bin laden and the Al Qaeda network are known to use
opium and heroin revenue to fund a major part of their military operations.
Their operations in Afghanistan are no surprise: Afghanistan produces more
than 70 percent of the world's opium.

Drug traffickers are terrorists themselves.

Gruesome public killings of innocent people, bombings meant to intimidate
governments, kidnappings, torture, widespread use of young people in
operations, money laundering, using and trading firearms, and use of phony
documents are often characteristic of terror organizations, but these acts
are also signature activities of drug organizations.

Drug traffickers and terrorist organizations both attack legitimate
government institutions, or corrupt governments altogether, to gain
protection and further their illegal objectives.

Once a region is controlled by a terror organization, extensive illegal
drug operations necessarily will follow; without effective government, drug
operations become every-day safe business deals.

The link between terrorists and the drug trade is a huge threat to the
United States.

The global economy allows these organizations to grow and increasingly
damage America and the world.

As fewer and fewer nation-states support terrorism, terrorist organizations
increasingly depend on drug financing.

Our illegal drug use unwittingly provides that financing and contributes
heavily to further regional instability, lack of national security and
ruined lives for our youth.

Through our illicit drug use, we are directly funding those who fight our
own military men and women in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and in
the Philippines.

We know that illegal drug use is a serious health issue in this country.

Buying and using illegal drugs is not a victimless crime. We must now also
understand the links and assistance drug use is giving to terror groups
around the world, the same people who intend to bring down our society and
our system of government.

Drug abusers, their families, their communities and now their government
are all victims of illegal drugs.

Sept. 11 brought the reality of terrorism into our communities. People
wonder how this happened. They ask, "Is there anything I can do?" A great
place to start is in the fight against drugs.

This office places a high priority on fighting illegal drugs as part and
parcel of the fight against terrorism; we look forward to working with
federal, state and local agencies -- as well as private citizens -- to
provide the security we owe to our citizens.