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Lamar Alexander on Drugs
Republican Sr Senator (TN); previously candidate for President
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New branch of Armed Services to fight drugs
By strengthening our defenses I also mean defending ourselves against the drugs that come across our borders. As President, I would propose to Congress that we create a new branch of the armed services to stop the flow of those drugs.
Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue
May 25, 1999
Revive drug war with credo “Just Say No - Because”.
The war on drugs in America has dragged on for too long. It’s a war we aren’t exactly losing but one we’re certainly not winning. We’re just stuck in the middle with no end in sight. The time has come to wage a new war on drugs. We should revive the
1980’s anti-drug credo, “Just Say No”, but go the extra step and explain to our children what the risks are and what’s at stake and tell them in clear, plain talk the consequences of illegal drug use. Today we should say “Just Say No - Because”.
Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue
May 25, 1999
Stricter enforcement at borders and of drug dealers
Tons of illegal drugs pour into the US across our southern border. Let’s consolidate our drug enforcement efforts in a single federal agency and do a better job of stopping the flow of deadly drugs into our country. Drug dealers are murderers, plain and
simple. We need laws that are so tough, they are treated [as] a clear, compelling message that drug dealers will not be tolerated in our workplaces or our neighborhoods. Let’s get serious about the war on drugs by making it a national priority.
Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue
May 25, 1999
For intensive treatment; employee “education”; drug testing
Supply and demand must be reduced simultaneously. Local communities [should] provide intensive treatment programs that really work rather than overnight detox centers that offer a Band-Aid solution. The federal government should offer tax breaks for
private businesses that educate employees about illegal drug use. Businesses shy away from drug testing, for fear of potential lawsuits. States should grants employer protection from litigation when they choose to randomly drug test their workers.
Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue
May 25, 1999
Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use.
Alexander co-sponsored requiring chemical resellers to certify against meth use
Sen. FEINSTEIN: This act is designed to address problems that the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, has identified in the implementation of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005. The bill that I introduce today would:
- clarify that all retailers, including mail order retailers, who sell products that contain chemicals often used to make methamphetamine--like ephedrine, pseudoepedrine and phenylpropanolamine--must self-certify that they have trained their personnel and will comply with the Combat Meth Act's requirements;
- require distributors to sell these products only to retailers who have certified that they will comply with the law;
- require the DEA to publish the list of all retailers who have filed self-certifications, on the DEA's website;
- and clarify that any retailer who negligently fails to file self-certification as required, may be subject to civil fines and penalties.
The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act that we passed last year has been a resounding success. The number of methamphetamine labs in the United States has declined dramatically now that the ingredients used to make methamphetamine are harder to get. Fewer meth labs means more than just less illegal drug production. In 2003, 3,663 children were reported exposed to toxic meth labs nationwide--but so far this year, the number of exposed children is only 319. This is a common-sense bill, designed to strengthen the implementation of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. This bill would create incentives to ensure that the self-certification process of the law is made both effective and enforceable. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Source: Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act (S.2071) 2007-S2071 on Sep 19, 2007
Page last updated: Feb 10, 2010