Text: DEA Chief Urges "Holistic" Approach to Drug Problem

14 March 2001

Text: DEA Chief Urges "Holistic" Approach to Drug Problem

Prevention and enforcement both necessary, Marshall says

Law enforcement -- in addition to reducing the supply of illegal drugs in the United States -- is also crucial to demand-reduction efforts, says Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Donnie Marshall.

"To a very large degree, supply does drive demand. Where there are drugs, abuse and addiction always rise," Marshall said in March 14 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

He cited the case of Colombian and Mexican-based traffickers who in the mid-1990s aggressively marketed low-price, high-purity Colombian heroin that was potent enough to be inhaled. Many people were drawn to the heroin, believing that if they did not inject the drug they would not become addicted, Marshall said.

"They found, however, that it was addictive and soon became traditional junkies. This heroin had a profound impact on East Coast metropolitan areas where we observed an increase in heroin-related deaths," he said.

The fight against drug abuse, however, "cannot be won through law enforcement alone," Marshall said. "There must be a 'holistic' approach to a global problem."

He said that the DEA itself has a "small but excellent" demand reduction program that focuses on drug prevention, education, and awareness for adolescents. "Education, prevention and treatment are long-term solutions and law enforcement must remain a strong partner for this approach to have a positive impact," Marshall said.

Following is the text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

Statement of
Donnie R. Marshall
Administrator
Drug Enforcement Administration

Before the
Senate Judiciary Committee

March 14, 2001

Chairman Hatch, Ranking Member Leahy, and Members of the Committee, good morning and thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee regarding Treatment, Education and Prevention. Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin by thanking you and the Committee for your unyielding support of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and to drug law enforcement as a whole. And also to thank you and the Committee for previous legislation that has given us the tools to carry out our mission.

DEA's primary mission is to enforce the controlled substance laws and to bring to justice those responsible for poisoning the citizens of this country, but I have long said this fight cannot be won through law enforcement alone. There must be a "holistic" approach to a global problem. DEA has in place a five-year strategic plan, which addresses the problems posed by illicit drug availability and abuse and provides for a comprehensive balanced approach. There is no doubt that interdiction and enforcement, coupled with education, prevention and treatment, are the essential elements for reducing the supply and demand of illicit drugs in this country.

Many will argue that demand drives supply. But the equation is not quite that simple. I am the first to admit that I have very strong feelings in this regard. And I also know that I am not alone in my belief in strong law enforcement. I would like to take a moment to share with you, a quote from Johns Hopkins trained historian, Jill Jonnes. Ms. Jonnes has devoted many years of study to America's experience with drug abuse and reported her findings in the book, Hep-Cats, Narcs, and Pipe Dreams. She wrote "the first and foremost factor that affects the levels of drug use is availability. Drugs like opiates and cocaine are so seductive that supply alone creates demand."

What she learned through years of research is the same conclusion that virtually any drug enforcement agent has drawn through years of experience. To a very large degree, supply does drive demand. Where there are drugs, abuse and addiction always rise.

Colombian and Mexican-based traffickers used this concept of supply driving demand when they aggressively marketed low price, high purity Colombian heroin during the mid-90s. Many people were drawn to heroin use because this high purity heroin could be inhaled or snorted in a similar fashion as cocaine. Since they were not using needles many were na��e enough to think it would not become addictive. They found, however, that it was addictive and soon became traditional junkies. This heroin had a profound impact on East Coast metropolitan areas where we observed an increase in heroin-related deaths.

Similarly, the club drug, Ecstasy is being marketed as the "Love Drug". The 2000 "Monitoring the Future Study" shows in 1999 and again in 2000, Ecstasy use among 10th and 12th graders rose sharply, bringing annual prevalence up to 5.4 percent among 10th graders and 8.2 percent among 12th graders. This study also revealed use among 8th graders rose to 3.1 percent. Unscrupulous promoters are setting up parties known as "Raves" which are advertised as alcohol-free, but in reality are venues where Ecstasy and other club drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol can be easily purchased by misinformed teenagers.

Even if the well informed are less inclined to abuse drugs, the young people of our nation continue to be adversely affected by their mere presence in the drug trafficking arena. El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) statistics revealed that in 1999, 921 children were present at clandestine laboratory seizures. In 2000, this figure rose to 1,362. As you are aware, clandestine laboratory operators utilize hazardous and explosive chemicals, which put innocent children at great risk. As our most precious commodity, our children deserve every safeguard possible.

There is no single solution to the complex challenge we currently face in reducing drug abuse. This will take entire communities working together; realizing it is everyone's responsibility. I personally volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America's Explorer Program and in traditional Scouting. I see firsthand how dedicated prevention strategies can positively affect our youth. Parents, teachers, religious and community leaders as well as law enforcement officers have a role to play in our national drug prevention strategy.

Even though DEA is an enforcement agency we have a small but excellent Demand Reduction Program that focuses on drug prevention, education, and awareness. We have established a proactive program, which educates community leaders about current drug threats and provides information on prevention and perception as it relates to adolescent drug use.

In closing I would like to reiterate what I stated earlier in this testimony and on many other occasions. And that is my strong support for a "holistic" approach to the drug problem. This involves a partnership of enforcement, prevention, education and treatment. I also mentioned earlier that DEA's primary mission is enforcement. Education, prevention and treatment are long-term solutions and law enforcement must remain a strong partner for this approach to have a positive impact.

I look forward to working with you and 107th Congress, as well as our new Administration, in minimizing this burden that has been placed on our society. Thank you.

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