DEA Press Release
Today, Thomas Constantine, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration stated
that, "The findings of the 1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse are
disturbing and paint a troubling picture of where our nation is headed unless we
rededicate ourselves to fighting drug abuse on a national scale. The increase of marijuana
use by our young people comes at the same time the Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse's (CASA) publishes a White paper strongly opposing drug legalization. Drug
legalization is a surrender and will only lead to more addiction, more violence and more
misery."
Constantine stated, "In the last year we've made tremendous inroads against the
leadership of the Colombian drug mafia. Now is not the time to weaken our resolve. It is
extremely important to our children's future that we, as a society, continue our efforts
against drug trafficking and drug abuse."
Administrator Constantine, a long time outspoken critic of drug legalization commended the
release of the study," I congratulate Mr. Califano, the scholars at CASA and Mr.
Bennett for their outstanding efforts in addressing the pernicious myths propagated by the
advocates of drug legalization. The debate on the legalization of drugs cannot be won if
we remain silent."
Last summer, the DEA convened a meeting of police chiefs and health experts to identify
ways to address the legalization issue. As a result of this meeting, a guide entitled Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization was developed.
This document is available on the Internet at http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/deahome.htm.
Its goal is to offer a strategy and resource for those who respond to the question of drug
legalization.
Travel back to the DRCNet Response to the DEA Home Page
Travel back to the DRCNet Response to the DEA Press Release List