11.08.01

Senator Maria Cantwell Statement on the Nomination of John Walters

Mr. Chairman, although I will support John Walters's nomination to be the head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) I cast my vote with deep reservations. Before Mr. Walters' nomination is taken up on the floor, I intend to meet with him personally and obtain further assurances that the views that he expressed at his hearing are the same views that will govern his policy choices at ONDCP.

As a new member of the Committee, I have great respect for my colleagues, particularly Senator Biden, who have tremendous experience in fighting drug abuse. Their expertise on this subject and their long personal acquaintance with John Walters are unquestioned. I take very seriously their concerns about Mr. Walters's record as well as skepticism about the positions he espoused at his hearing. However, lacking their long personal experience with Mr. Walters, I have decided that I will take him at his word - and work to hold him to it.

Drug abuse is a significant public health problem that impacts the lives of all Americans. I believe that the only way to fight drugs effectively is to have a multi-faceted approach that includes strong interdiction and law enforcement efforts, stringent sentences for those caught manufacturing and dealing drugs, vigorous treatment programs and real investments in prevention.

I represent a state that is constantly working on new and innovative methods for fighting drugs -- and at making integrated approaches to law enforcement and treatment work. My state has been a leader in effective treatment and prevention programs including Drug Court programs that provide individualized treatment for drug offenders, and the Community Coalition Initiative that promotes the engagement of local communities in substance abuse prevention. These programs have been critical to a statewide reduction in the numbers of drug-related crimes against people and property.

Mr. Walters expressed support for the use of drug courts at his hearing and in response to written questions I submitted. He also expressed interest in learning more about my state's mental health court. I am hopeful that these attitudes mark a change in his views, and that he has come to recognize that an integrated approach to fighting drugs is the only way to make it work. Drug control strategy needs to be firmly balanced on four legs - interdiction - enforcement -prevention and treatment -- rather than relying on yesterday's means -- a wobbly two-legged stool that relies on stopping the flow of illegal drugs and sentencing non-violent drug users to lengthy terms.

My state is also facing an epidemic in the production and sale of methamphetamine. Meth is possibly the most devastating drug we have ever experienced in this country, and its use is spreading amongst juveniles in rural communities at truly amazing speed. We must have federal aid in the fight against meth, and we must be able to rely on the strength and versatility of our High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program (HIDTA) to fight meth effectively.

I have been encouraged by Mr. Walters's answers about the importance and the need for local autonomy of the HIDTA program, and I intend to question him closely to make certain he grasps the severity of the methamphetamine problem facing not only my state, but also the nation at large. If he is confirmed as the Drug Czar, Mr. Walters must join DEA Administrator Asa Hutchison in making the fight against methamphetamine his single highest priority.

Because I believe he has begun to understand and confront the gravity of the meth challenge, I will give my support to Mr. Walters's nomination here today. I will look forward to additional assurances that I hope he will provide about the need to engage in and to promote a coordinated approach to the fight against drugs -- and particularly against methamphetamine - from the federal level down.