Reno Says Congress Cut Drug Funding

With teenage drug abuse rising, Atty. Gen. Janet Reno chided Congress for failing to fully fund drug abuse prevention and treatment programs authorized by the 1994 crime law. “We went to Congress and worked with them in fashioning the Crime Act of 1994 that authorized extensive prevention programs . . . that could provide a way of reweaving the fabric of community around kids at risk, mentoring programs, drug prevention programs, drug court programs,” Reno said. “And Congress has not come through in funding those promises. . . .” The 1994 law authorized $11.7 million to assist delinquent and at-risk youth; Clinton asked for $9.6 million but no money was appropriated.