NCJ Number
57834
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS SPECULATIVE DISCUSSION OF DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION FOCUSES ON FUTURE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AND THEIR POSSIBLE IMPACT ON PERSONAL FREEDOM.
Abstract
TREATMENT PROGRAMS OF THE FUTURE WILL FOCUS INCREASINGLY ON YOUTH, THE POOR, WOMEN, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CLIENTS. IN ADDITION TO CLINICAL APPROACHES, IT IS EXPECTED THAT SELF-HELP PROGRAMS, WITH INCREASING EMPHASIS ON DEPENDENCY RELATED SUBSTANCES SUCH AS TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL, WILL BE EXPANDED. NONOPIATE DRUG USE, MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND DRUG USE BY WOMEN WILL RECEIVE MORE ATTENTION. FURTHER, PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND EMPHASIS ON THE FAMILY AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF BOTH PREVENTION AND TREATMENT WILL INCREASE. LONG-ACTING METHADONE AND NONTOXIC NARCOTIC ANTAGONISTS WILL PROBABLY BE DEVELOPED AND IT APPEARS LIKELY THAT THE NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO DEALING WITH DRUG ABUSE WILL REMAIN STEADY AND SUBSTANTIAL. 'KIDDY DRUG USE' WILL BE MET WITH INCREASING TOUGHNESS AND NONLEGAL SANCTIONS AGAINST DRUG USE WILL INCREASE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOCIAL STIGMA FELT BY CIGARETTE SMOKERS WILL BE FELT INCREASINGLY BY USERS OF ALCOHOL. DISABILITY OR LIFE INSURANCE EXAMINATIONS MAY INCLUDE TESTS TO SCREEN OUT THE CIGARETTE SMOKER. ZEALOTRY IN DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION, HOWEVER, CAN POSE REAL DANGERS IN THE AREA OF PERSONAL FREEDOM. FOR EXAMPLE, DIVERSION OF THE MARIJUANA USER FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE TREATMENT PROGRAM MAY BE TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE; MOST USERS DO NOT WANT OR NEED TREATMENT. A SUCCESSFUL ALTERNATIVE IN EFFECT IN MINNESOTA REQUIRES ATTENDANCE BY THE MARIJUANA USER AT A CLASS ON DRUG ABUSE, SIMILAR TO THE HIGHWAY SAFETY COURSES GIVEN FOR THOSE ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING. THE MARIJUANA USER IS NOT SENT TO PRISON AT THE TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE, DOES NOT HAVE AN ARREST RECORD, AND IS PROVIDED WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION. DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AS AN EROSION OF PERSONAL FREEDOMS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION. (LWM).