NCJ Number
216431
Date Published
February 2007
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This report presents the 2007 National Drug Control Strategy of the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Abstract
The overarching goal of the President’s drug control policy is to reduce drug use in the country through a balanced strategy. This strategy has three key components: (1) preventing drug use before it starts; (2) intervening and treating those who already use drugs; and (3) disrupting the market for illicit substances. The introduction to the report contains information on drug use trends in the United States over the past 6 years, which indicates significant declines in drug use, particularly among youth. Indeed, during the past 5 years, drug use among youth has declined a full 23.2 percent overall. Following the introduction, chapter 1 addresses the strategy to prevent drug use among youth before it starts. The primary target of this first component of the strategy is youth and their parents. Specifically, the strategy makes use of educational campaigns, such as the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, and work with local drug prevention coalitions across the country through the Major Cities and Critical Areas Drug Initiative. Chapter 2 discusses the intervention and treatment of drug users, which is the second key component of the 2007 National Drug Control Strategy. The strategy targets young users before they become addicted in an effort to avoid the serious health and behavioral consequences of addiction. Substance abuse screenings in a range of settings, including schools and medical offices, are planned to identify those in need of counseling or more intensive treatments. The strategy also seeks to expand treatment options and the use of drug courts. Chapter 3 outlines the strategy for disrupting illicit drug markets, which entails eradicating crops, interdicting illegal drugs, and attacking drug organizations. An important part of this component of the strategy is to reduce the nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Information on drug control funding by agency is presented. Figures