NCJ Number
193590
Date Published
March 2002
Length
114 pages
Annotation
This report presents the 2002 National Drug Control Strategy in accordance with the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998.
Abstract
This policy statement portrays illegal drug use as a serious threat to the social fabric of the United States and even to the security of the Nation, since drug money is believed to be used to finance the work of terrorists who have targeted the United States for attack. Thus, the fight against illegal drug use is portrayed as a fight for the future of the Nation's children, for struggling democracies, and against terrorism. Progress in this fight is documented. From 1985 to 1992, drug use among high school seniors declined each year; however, in recent years ground has been lost. The strategy presented in this report is the first step in placing the fight against drugs at the center of the national agenda. Given that drug use among youth is at unacceptably high levels, the strategy emphasizes prevention based in education that teaches youth character-building concepts and dissuades them from ever using illegal drugs. The strategy also focuses on expanding the Nation's drug treatment system. The strategy features law enforcement efforts and interdiction programs, while focusing on attacking the drug trade by exploiting its key vulnerabilities. 75 tables