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ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT STATEMENT REGARDING

WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement today about the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics report stating that federal drug law changes have led to longer prison sentences:

"This report shows that tougher federal drug laws are making a real difference in clearing major drug offenders from our nation's streets. Federal law enforcement is targeted effectively at convicting major drug traffickers and punishing them with longer lock-ups in prison.

"Federal drug offenders are predominantly hard-core criminals with prior arrest records who are convicted for drug trafficking, not first-time, non-violent offenders charged with drug possession.

"Longer prison terms are now being imposed on drug offenders, particularly on those with firearms and extensive criminal records. It is crucial that we continue to keep major drug traffickers who use weapons and commit repeated crimes out of our communities.

"Federal drug enforcement efforts are focused on taking down major drug distribution networks and the most serious threats to our communities. This report demonstrates that by targeting our law enforcement resources and imposing longer prison terms we can remove the worst drug offenders from our streets."

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