Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 1.djvu/789

 PUBLIC LAW 101-124—OCT. 24, 1989 103 STAT. 761 Public Law 101-124 101st Congress Joint Resolution To designate October 22 through October 29.1989, as "National Red Ribbon Week for Oct. 24, 1989 a Drug-Free America". [S.J. Res. 213] Whereas alcohol and other drug abuse has reached epidemic propor- tions and is of major concern to all Americans; Whereas alcohol and other drug abuse is a major public health threat and is one of the largest causes of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States today; • Whereas alcohol and other drug abuse costs American society nearly $100,000,000,090 a year; Whereas illegal drug use does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, or socioeconomic status, as evidenced by the facts that— ^ (1) 23,000,000 Americans age 12 and over currently use illicit drugs; (2) a nationwide Weekly Reader survey revealed that of the 68,000 fourth graders poUeid, 34 percent reported peer pressure to try wine coolers, 41 percent to smoke, and 24 percent to use crack or cocaine; and - (3) the 15- to 24-year-old group is dying at a faster rate than any other age group because of accidents, homicides, and suicides, many of which are related to drug and alcohol abuse; Whereas the drug problem appears to be insurmountable, but Americans have begun to lay the foundation to combat it; Whereas we must continue the important strides we have made in our efforts to prevent cdcohol and other drug abuse; Whereas the most recent national polls reveal that progress has been made in that— (1) since 1979, there has been a steady decline in the use of marijuana on a daily basis among high school seniors, and in 1987, marijuana use among this group was at its lowest level in 11 x years; (2) in 1987 there was a significant drop in the use of cocaine, and the number of high school seniors associating great risk with trying cocaine once or twice rose from 34 percent in 1986 to 48 ^ percent in 1987; and (3) illicit drug use of stimulants and sedatives continues to decline among high school seniors, college students, and young adults in general; Whereas according to public opinion polls the American people consider that drug abuse is one of the most serious domestic problems facing this Nation and have begun to take steps to fight it; Whereas the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth has declared October 22 through October 29, 1989, as "National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America", and has called for a comprehensive public awareness, prevention, and education pro- gram involving thousands of parent and community groups across the country;

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