SUCCESS OF THE WAR ON DRUGS DURING THE REAGAN YEARS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8) - "In the 1960's and 1970's Americans were
passive about or even worse, actively endorsed the use of illicit
drugs. This misguided attitude fostered an environment of tolerance
and acceptance. As a result drug use proliferated. In 1980, therefore
there were massive amounts of illegal drugs, drug pushers, and
kingpins controlled large segments of U.S. resources; millions of
innocent people were victimized; an overburdenend criminal justice
system; staggering economic and social costs; and a deep erosion of
the health of our people." (White House Conference for A Drug Free
America Report 1988)

Ronald Reagan's leadership, along with Nancy Reagan, sparked a
national movement against drugs which resulted in dramatic declines in
illicit drug use in America. (and around the world) President Reagan
inspired and convinced the nation that the drug problem was not
hopeless and could be solved. He was committed to help reverse the
permissive attitudes of the 1960s and 1970s that illegal drug use was
glamorous, harmless and victimless, and influenced the media and even
Hollywood to stop glamorizing drug use. President Reagan believed that
the nation needed community based solutions to the drug problem. He
and Mrs. Reagan strongly supported the grassroots parents' movement
and gave these volunteers access to and the opportunity to work
closely with major federal agencies. President Reagan sponsored The
White House Conference on Drug Abuse. Across the nation spread
community anti-drug initiatives, youth programs, drug-free school and
workplace programs. The nation spoke with one voice that "drugs were
wrong and harmful." The results illicit drug use was cut in half; -
from 25 million to 11 million drug users between 1979 and 1992; drug
use was no longer tolerated and in the workplace or in the Armed
forces. Crime, drug related hospital admissions and highway deaths
declined.

One of the most remarkable accomplishments and reversals in history!!!
This story needs to be told.

Today, we would do well to reaffirm and implement the recommendations
from The White House Conference for A Drug Free America Report of 1988

These positive trends continued until the time when Clinton said he
wished he had inhaled...... drug use by youth began to rise once again.
(Monitoring the Future Survey 1996)

Highlights:

New York Times 1988

"No President has spoken out more against drugs than President Reagan.
" No Administration has signed more anti drug treaties or spent more
money to stem the flow of drugs into this country."

"We're rejecting the helpless attitude that drug use is so rampant
that we are defenseless to do anything about it. We're taking down the
surrender flag that has flown over of many drug efforts; we're running
up the battle flag." President Ronald Reagan. June 24, 1982

"In this crusade, let us not forget who we are. Drug Abuse is a
repudiation of everything America is. The destructiveness and human
wreckage mock our heritage." President Ronald Reagan September 14,
1986.

"Illegal drug use is the foremost concern in our country. And frankly,
as I finish my final year in office and look ahead, I worry that
excessive drug politics might undermine effective drug policy. If
America's anti drug effort gets tripped up in partisanship, if we
permit politics to determine policy, it will mean a disaster for our
future and that of our children." May 18, 1988. President Ronald Reagan.

First Lady Nancy Reagan was a leader in the crusade for a Drug Free
America.

She was Honorary Chairperson of the National Federation of Parents for
Drug Free Youth; and through the "Just Say No Campaign was responsible
for the establishment of thousands of parent and youth groups across
the country.

"The casual drug user cannot mortally escape responsibility for the
actions of drug traffickers and dealers. I am saying that if you are a
casual drug user, you are an accomplice to murder." Nancy Reagan
February 29, 1988.

Highlights:

Encouraged and supported a nationwide effort to reduce the demand for
drugs by increasing Americans knowledge and changing the attitudes and
behavior.

Presidential Executive Order 1987- To focus public attention on the
importance of fostering a widespread attitude of intolerance for
illegal drugs and their use throughout all segments of society."

Inspired the establishment of the The National Media Advertising
Partnership for a Drug Free America to spread the drug prevention message.

Supported the establishment the Drug Free Schools and Communities
Program 1986

Changed Attitudes by Youth:

In 1980, half of high school seniors surveyed thought smoking
marijuana regularly posed a great risk. In 1987, 73.5 % saw regular
marijuana use a great risk. (University of Michigan)

In 1992 more than 79% of high school seniors believed that drug use
was very harmful.( Monitoring the Future Survey)

Declines in the overall crime rate ) Uniform Crime Reporting
Statistics)

Hospital emergency rates declined (Health & Human Services
Report)

50% Reduction in illegal drug use on the job ( Health & Human Services
Report)

(White House Office of Public Affairs Report June 1988)

Created an effective, coordinated federal, stage and local awareness
and education campaign against illicit drugs.

Drug Use Declines:

Current use of cocaine among high school seniors dropped by one third
in 1987 to the lowest level since 1978. Daily use of marijuana among
these students dropped from one in nine high school seniors in 1979 to
one in 30 in 1987.

Prevention: Federal funds for drug abuse increased 4 four fold
between 1981 and 1988.

Treatment: Federal spending for treatment nearly doubled between 1981
and 1988.

Enforcement Increases - the number of federal drug investigators more
than doubled and the number of Federal drug prosecutors increased four
fold between 1890 and 1988. By 1987 arrests by the DEA of the most
serious drug offenders had increased 175 over 1983.

More Drugs Interdicted and Seized

Drug Free Military- Drug use in the military dropped 67% since
1980.

Other highlights: improved international cooperation to cut off the
production and transportation of illegal drugs. The first to use the
federal asset forfeiture law to take the profit out of illegal drug
trafficking.