Ted Kennedy on Drugs

Democratic Sr Senator (MA)

Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses.

Vote to increase penalties on certain drug-related crimes. The amendment would specifically target the manufacturing or trafficking of amphetamines & methamphetamines and possession of powder cocaine, and set stronger penalties for dealing drugs Reference: Bill S.625 ; vote number 1999-360 on Nov 10, 1999

Voted NO on spending international development funds on drug control.

Vote to add an additional $53 million (raising the total to $213 million) to international narcotics control funding, and pay for it by taking $25 million from international operations funding and $28 million from development assistance. Reference: Bill HR 3540 ; vote number 1996-244 on Jul 25, 1996

Rename "Drug Abuse" institute as "Diseases of Addiction".

Kennedy co-sponsored renaming "Drug Abuse" institute as "Diseases of Addiction"

A bill to change the name of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction; and to change the name of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health. Congress makes the following findings:

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain's structure and manner in which it functions. These brain changes can be long lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs. The disease of addiction affects both brain and behavior, and scientists have identified many of the biological and environmental factors that contribute to the development and progression of the disease.
The pejorative term 'abuse' used in connection with diseases of addiction has the adverse effect of increasing social stigma and personal shame, both of which are so often barriers to an individual's decision to seek treatment.

NAME CHANGE: Any reference in any law, regulation, order, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 'National Institute on Drug Abuse', the 'National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism', the 'National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism', and the 'National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse' shall be deemed to be a reference to the 'National Institute on Diseases of Addiction', the 'National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health', the 'National Advisory Council on Alcohol Disorders and Health', and the 'National Advisory Council on Diseases of Addiction', respectively. Source: Recognizing Addiction as a Disease Act (S.1011) 07-S1011 on Mar 28, 2007

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a profile of Ted Kennedy. Click here for SenateMatch answers by Ted Kennedy. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Drugs in The Forum. Click here for a summary of Ted Kennedy's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other MA politicians.
*Other candidates on Drugs:*		*Ted Kennedy on other issues:*
*MA Gubernatorial:* Deval Patrick *MA Senatorial:* Bob Underwood Ed O`Reilly Jeff Beatty John Kerry Martha Coakley Scott Brown *Newly elected in 2008 & seated in 2009:* AK:Begich (D) CO:Udall (D) ID:Risch (R) MN:Franken (D) NC:Hagan (D) NE:Johanns (R) NH:Shaheen (D) NM:Udall (D) OR:Merkley (D) VA:Warner (D) Newly appointed in 2009; special election in 2010: DE:Kaufman (D) CO:Bennet (D) IL:Burris (D) NY:Gillibrand (D) *Announced retirement as of 2010:* DE:Kaufman (D) FL:Martinez (R) KS:Brownback (R) MO:Bond (R) OH:Voinovich (R)	*Up for 6-year term in 2010:* (13 Democrats; 15 Republicans) AK:Murkowski (R) AL:Shelby (R) AR:Lincoln (D) AZ:McCain (R) CA:Boxer (D) CT:Dodd (D) GA:Isakson (R) HI:Inouye (D) IA:Grassley (R) ID:Crapo (R) IN:Bayh (D) KY:Bunning (R) LA:Vitter (R) MD:Mikulski (D) NC:Burr (R) ND:Dorgan (D) NH:Gregg (R) NV:Reid (D) NY:Schumer (D) OK:Coburn (R) OR:Wyden (D) PA:Specter (R) SC:DeMint (R) SD:Thune (R) UT:Bennett (R) VT:Leahy (D) WA:Murray (D) WI:Feingold (D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators Senate Votes (analysis) Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Oct 12, 2009