NCJ Number
202653
Date Published
September 2003
Length
93 pages
Annotation
This document presents the Substance Abuse Strategy for the District of Columbia.
Abstract
Approximately 60,000 residents in the District of Columbia -- nearly 1 in 10 -- are addicted to illegal drugs or alcohol. Of the 1.3 million emergency room visits in the District, about 40 percent are related to drug and alcohol abuse. One in five young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 use illicit drugs. Half of the population consumes alcohol and a quarter smoke cigarettes regularly. In response to the impact of substance abuse on the District’s health, safety, and financial stability, the mayor appointed an executive-level task force to prepare and recommend the citywide strategy and budget for substance abuse. The Substance Abuse Strategy is built on the premise that no single approach can end substance abuse or its consequences. Its strategic goals and objectives involve a wide spectrum of public agencies and private entities, including prevention, treatment, and law enforcement communities. The actions of the Federal Government, adjacent regional governments, private organizations, and individual residents are all critical to the achievement of strategic goals and outcomes. The first strategic goal in accomplishing this is to educate and empower District residents to live healthy and drug-free lifestyles. This approach includes expanding and increasing the effectiveness of prevention activities, and increasing the use of evidence-based prevention programs. The second strategic goal is to develop and maintain a continuum of care that is efficient, effective, and accessible to individuals needing substance abuse treatment. This approach includes increasing long-term treatment capacity, improving the treatment infrastructure, and developing performance accountability systems for treatment programs. The third strategic goal is to increase the public’s safety and improve treatment access for offenders to ensure fair and effective administration of justice. This approach includes reducing the number of open-air drug markets, forming community-police partnerships, and supporting the expansion of drug courts. The fourth strategic goal is to encourage a coordinated and focused regional response to the problem of substance abuse. This approach includes identifying and removing barriers to treatment across jurisdictions. 15 tables, 7 figures, 3 appendices