Weekly Video Address - Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016
There’s been a lot of focus lately on fighting drug abuse and addiction.
I had the chance to speak with Iowans from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
These are the people who fight the drug problems that are unique to their communities.
As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Drug Caucus, I’m committed to finding bipartisan solutions to these problems.
I recently chaired a hearing about the epidemic of abuse of prescription drugs and heroin.
I expect the Judiciary Committee will soon consider the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015.
This legislation is a multi-faceted approach to fighting the abuse of heroin and other opioids.
It also supports federal grants for communities experiencing unique drug crises.
Last October, I held a Judiciary Committee field hearing in Iowa to examine the changing threat of methamphetamine.
Meth is being trafficked into the state by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
I’ll continue to press the Administration to secure the border from the cartels.
I’m also dedicated to finding ways to halt the growing trend of synthetic drug abuse.
And I continue to be concerned about the effect that the legalization of recreational marijuana at the state level is having on our youth.
The Government Accountability Office just issued a report, at my request, saying the Obama Administration doesn’t have a documented plan to monitor the effects of state legalization of marijuana on its eight federal marijuana enforcement priorities.
Chief among these eight enforcement priorities are preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors and preventing the diversion of marijuana across state lines.
I plan to hold a hearing soon in the Drug Caucus to hold the Department of Justice’s feet to the fire to enforce federal law on marijuana.
We need aggressive steps on all fronts to fight the scourge of drug abuse and addiction.
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