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Dole Campaign Press Release - Clinton's Failed Liberal Drug Policies Leave Millions of Children at Risk

September 16, 1996

Clinton's Failed Liberal Drug Policies Leave Millions of Children at Risk

Fastest Three-Year increase in Teen Drug Use in History

According to a report released by Bill Clinton's Department of Health and Human Services, since 1992:

* Overall use of all drugs among 12- to 17-year-olds has skyrocketed 105%,

* Marijuana use among young people has more than doubled --an increase of 141%

* Use of LSD and other hallucinogens has nearly tripled -- an increase of 183%.

* Monthly use of cocaine, the scourge of the 1980s, is up an appalling 166% from 1994 to 1995.

-- National Household Survey on Drug abuse, US. Dept of HHS, 8/20/96

The Clinton Strategy for a "Real War" on Drugs

"On matters of pure policy, among Bill Clinton's first acts was to cut spending on the war. The staff of the Office of National Drug Control Policy was cut to 25 from 146. Drug interdiction funds were cut. New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel announced: 'I really never thought I'd miss Nancy Reagan, but I do."'

-- Wall Street Journal, editorial page, 5/2/96

But the Drug War Is Still a Top Priority, Right?

"The White House National Security Council has dropped the drug war from one of three top priorities to No. 29 on a list of 29, according to several sources."

-- (Minneapolis,MN) Star Tribune, 2/14/93

Even His Own FBI Chief Notes Clinton's Lack of Leadership

"Still, Clinton's's record on the drug problem is very soft. Newsweek has learned that FBI Director Louis Freeh wrote a scathing memo 18 months ago to complain about the lack of 'any true leadership' in stemming the influx of heroin and cocaine, which Freeh compared to an 'all-conquering army,' Freeh then hand-delivered the memo to Clinton himself -- a bold move."

--Newsweek, 8/26/96

What Do You Expect from a President Whose Anti-Drug Motto is "Just Say Sure"?

"Question: If you had it to do over again, would you inhale? (Laughter, applause)

Clinton: Sure, if I could. I tried before." (Laughter)

-- Bill Clinton, MTV's "Choose or Lose Special," 6/16/92

With a Record This Good, There's No Need for a New Proposal

"There is not a need for a new proposal."

-- Mike McCurry, White House Press Secretary, 8/21/96

"It is simply beyond argument that Bill Clinton has failed to use the powers of his office to lead the war on drugs."

Newsweek magazine, August 26,1996

Robert Dole, Dole Campaign Press Release - Clinton's Failed Liberal Drug Policies Leave Millions of Children at Risk Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/316659

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