According to Director John Walters of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. the efforts are clearly working as the average price of cocaine has increased and the quality decreased. Since 1790. the Coast Guard has been the Nations leading maritime law enforcement agency. Today. missions include drug interdiction. migrant interdiction. fisheries enforcement. environmental compliance and safe boating enforcement. Clearly. the success of the men and women of the Coast Guard is attributed to the multifaceted nature of this branch. The Coast Guard also confronts unique obstacles with migrant smugglers who. not unlike drug runners. are becoming more brazen and bold in their efforts. I believe we must continue to work to provide the enhanced penalties necessary to deter and punish dangerous. highspeed pursuits and other patently unsafe activity associated with maritime alien smuggling. If we can implement increased deterrence. I have no doubt that the success that the Coast Guard has in drug interdiction will translate to similar success with migrant interdiction. As we move forward. we need to ensure that the Coast Guard has the appropriate resources to ensure our safety and security. Currently. the Coast Guard is in the midst of a fleet modernization.