Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 2.djvu/122

 100 STAT. 1224

PUBLIC LAW 99-481—OCT. 16, 1986

Public Law 99-481 99th Congress Joint Resolution Oct. 16, 1986 [H.J. Res. 678]

To designate October 1986 as "Crack/Cocaine Awareness Month".

Whereas cocaine is a drug that medical authorities consider to be very dangerous; Whereas the amount of cocaine entering the United States from other countries has increased substantially in recent years; Whereas, in the past, the most common method of taking cocaine into the body was by inhaling the drug through the nose; Whereas cocaine may be smoked if the drug is subjected to certain procedures designed to harden the drug; Whereas the form of cocaine that may be smoked is commonly known as crack; Whereas crack can be developed easily from the standard form of cocaine, and law enforcement authorities are encountering difficulties in stopping the production of crack; Whereas crack is extremely addictive, and a single incident of smoking crack may result in addiction; Whereas crack may cause death or injury as a result of heart attacks, seizures, strokes, or damage to the lungs; Whereas the use of crack is increasing rapidly; Whereas the use of cocaine has become widespread among all socioeconomic groups, including young athletes; Whereas the awareness of the people of the United States with respect to the dangers of the use of cocaine, and with respect to available treatments for addiction to cocaine, should be increased; and Whereas parents, drug prevention agencies at all levels of government, civic organizations, and other individuals and groups should work to increase such awareness: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 1986 is designated "Crack/Cocaine Awareness Month", and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved October 16, 1986.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 678: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): Aug. 13, considered and passed House. Oct. 3, considered and passed Senate.

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