NCJ Number
157828
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The major issue in Federal drug control efforts is whether preventing drug abuse through restrictive and even prohibitory controls is the best possible approach.
Abstract
The prevention of drug abuse has been a public policy issue in the United States for at least a century, but interest in this area has accelerated over the past 25 years. Budget totals reflect the growing Federal commitment to combat the drug problem; spending rose from $82 million in fiscal year 1969 to $6.3 billion in fiscal year 1989, with $12.7 billion appropriated for fiscal year 1993. The current Federal strategy for preventing drug abuse is multifaceted, and drug laws are complemented by a system of international production controls and multilateral and bilateral agreements. Broad policy issues associated with Federal efforts to control the drug problem in the United States are analyzed, and specific initiatives incorporated in the National Drug Control Strategy are noted. Legislation related to drug abuse education and prevention programs, drug testing, the Department of Defense role in counterdrug activities, money laundering, drug treatment and prevention, perinatal exposure to drugs, and drug trafficking are briefly summarized.