The Associated Press: on Drugs
Jack Conway:
Epidemic of prescription pill abuse spurs crime
Spurred by Paul's suggestion that drug abuse isn't "a real pressing issue" in the Senate race, Conway spotlighted Kentucky's "epidemic" of prescription pill abuse that is costing lives and overloading the courts and prisons with addicts who turn to crime
to fund their habits. Conway visited Kentucky's mountain region where he said Paul "just doesn't get it" concerning painkillers like OxyContin and the impact they have had on Kentucky.Paul accusing Conway of "pandering" for votes by mischaracterizing
his concern for the state's drug woes: "It's been recently insinuated somehow that I don't care about the drug problem in Kentucky, and that's absolutely wrong."
Paul shows libertarian leanings on drugs. He has called drug sentences of 10 to 20 years
too harsh. While he has said he opposes the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, he believes it should be up to individual states to decide the issue. Conway said Kentucky can't afford to take on drug traffickers without federal help.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Kentucky Senate debate
Aug 23, 2010
Rand Paul:
Drug abuse isn't a pressing issue; 10-20 years is too harsh
Spurred by Rand Paul's suggestion that drug abuse isn't "a real pressing issue" in the Senate race, Jack Conway spotlighted Kentucky's "epidemic" of prescription pill abuse that is costing lives and overloading the courts and prisons with addicts who tur
to crime to fund their habits.Paul said he prefers local initiatives over federally based responses to combat drug trafficking. Paul has said he would cut federal funding for undercover drug investigations and drug treatment programs in Appalachia, a
hotbed for marijuana growers and drug dealers selling prescription pills and methamphetamines. He told The Associated Press recently that he doesn't think drug abuse is "a real pressing issue" in the Senate race, suggesting that voters are more concerned
about fiscal and social concerns.
Paul has called drug sentences of 10 to 20 years too harsh. While he has said he opposes the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, he believes it should be up to individual states to decide the issue.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Kentucky Senate debate
Aug 23, 2010
Mike Bouchard:
Direct connection between terrorism and drug activity
The House suggested spending $558 million for Justice Assistance Grants. Bouchard said sheriffs have been asking for $900 million. “We think it’s real important that the basic law enforcement functions are supported on a day-to-day basis,” Bouchard said.
Bouchard called the level of proposed funding “ill-conceived” and said cutting local drug enforcement funds doesn’t make sense. “It’s a critical part of what we do,” he said. “We know there’s a direct connection between terrorism and drug activity.”
Source: Kathy Barks Hoffman, Associated Press
Jun 15, 2006
Doris Haddock:
Penalize marijuana use with fines rather than prison time
Haddock called for penalizing marijuana use with fines rather than prison time.
Source: NH Senate Debate, in Associated Press
Oct 22, 2004
Judd Gregg:
Marijuana should not be legalized for medical use
Gregg said marijuana should not be legalized for medical use, but physicians should be able to argue that some cases were exceptional, such as patients suffering from terminal cancer. “We should keep the law the way it is,” he said.
Source: NH Senate Debate, in Associated Press
Oct 22, 2004
Howard Dean:
Treat drug abuse as a medical problem, not a judicial one
Dean was outlining his plan to keep kids out of trouble when someone in the crowd said that marijuana should be decriminalized.
Dean responded that wouldn’t solve the problem, “but since you brought it up, I think substance abuse should be treated as a medical problem not a judicial problem.”
Source: Associated Press in Ogden (UT) Standard
Nov 17, 2003
Elizabeth Dole:
Decertify countries who do not combat drugs
I will meet with all foreign leaders and encourage them to join us in the crusade for a drug-free America, but, if all else fails, I will decertify - in other words cut off aid to - countries that do not vigorously combat the drugs that are destroying
our communities and killing our young people. I will utilize all the law enforcement, military and diplomatic tools available to eradicate the production of drugs in foreign nations and choke off the flow of poison through neighboring countries.
Source: Associated Press, speech excerpts
Oct 7, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Use all branches of the military in Drug War
I will make every effort to encourage clergy, parents, teachers and communities to join us in the crusade for a drug-free America. In addition to increasing funds, I will task all branches of the military to fully engage in the war on drugs on land, at
sea, and in the air. Those drug traffickers unfortunate enough to make it to the American border will have to contend with the most advanced, well-trained, and efficient border enforcement this nation has ever seen.
Source: Associated Press, speech excerpts
Oct 7, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Aggressive public education campaign that drugs aren’t cool
Our teens are trying drugs because they think drugs are cool and because they don’t understand the dangers. To combat this troubling trend, we need an aggressive public education campaign to teach children that drugs aren’t cool and that people who do
drugs aren’t cool. That means using the bully pulpit to send the message day after day that drugs aren’t cool, they kill.
Source: Associated Press, speech excerpts
Oct 7, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Would “lead a crusade” against illegal drugs
Promised to “lead a crusade” against illegal drugs if elected president. Dole said, although polls show the issue of illegal drug use is “not very high on people’s priority list,” as president, she would push a campaign “that’s comprehensive and fully
funded where drugs are concerned. With leadership and the use of that bully pulpit, I think we can have a crusade across this country to remove and rid America of illegal drugs that are poisoning our children today,” Dole said.
Source: Martha Bellisle, Associated Press
Aug 22, 1999
Mike Huckabee:
Curb supply by eradication; change attitudes to curb demand
In order to curb the flow of illegal drugs, we must work to [eradicate] the supply and at the same time diminish the demand by changing the public’s attitude toward drugs.
Source: Responses to Associated Press Questionnaire for AR Senate
Nov 1, 1992
Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019