As chairman of the Senate International Narcotics Control Caucus, Grassley is spearheading a plan in the 106th Congress called "The Drug Free Century Act" that would better coordinate and fund anti-drug efforts by federal agencies, law enforcement, neighboring countries, community coalitions, and education programs.
"We can't let one of the worst plagues of the 20th century devastate another generation of Americans in the 21st century," said Grassley. "The drug problem isn't simply going to disappear in the new millennium. It will take sustained and constant oversight by the federal government, cooperation from our trading partners, coordination from law enforcement, and grassroots commitment from community leaders, clergy members, health professionals, educators, and families."
Grassley outlined four key areas of the Drug Free Century Act that seek to build upon successful counter drug initiatives already underway and to create a more accountable, innovative anti-drug strategy that will work to keep our kids off drugs in the next century.
1.) International Supply Reduction ? strengthens maritime law enforcement along U.S. borders; cracks down on drug smuggling and falsifying of customs documents; expands efforts to search, seize and prosecute money laundering schemes; and spells out international drug control guidelines for foreign countries;
2.) Domestic Law Enforcement ? increases number of border patrol agents to 15,000 by 2004; significantly beefs-up U.S. Customs, cracks down on drug crimes committed in the presence of minors; and calls upon the Drug Enforcement Administration to develop a plan for the safe and swift clean-up of methamphetamine labs;
"Iowa has been hard-hit by the surge of hazardous, make-shift methamphetamine labs sprouting up around the state," said Grassley. "The public's safety is at stake and local resources are stretched thin. We need a comprehensive clean-up policy in place to safely dispose of the toxic contaminants left behind after the drug makers leave the scene."
3. ) Domestic Demand Reduction ? renews focus on education, prevention and treatment; establishes innovative program to improve unsafe schools; creates federal grants to establish parent collaboration and support program;
4.) Counter-Drug Enforcement Agencies ? authorizes specific resources for U.S. Customs Service and additional funding for counter drug initiatives by the U.S. Coast Guard; Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Treasury; and Department of Defense.
Grassley vowed to renew his efforts during the 106th Congress to develop a comprehensive anti-drug strategy that gives parents, schools and communities a fighting chance to keep drugs away from the next generation.
"Anything less would allow the drug problem to hemorrhage its way into the 21st century and create a dangerous hold on the social structure of American society. Forget about blame- calling and singular solutions. Let's work together to keep our kids off drugs."