NCJ Number
126598
Journal
Future Choices Toward a National Youth Policy Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 19-34
Date Published
1989
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The economical and human costs of the escalating drug abuse problem is discussed. The difference between drug use and drug abuse is defined, and the effectiveness of past and current Federal drug war policies is examined in light of what the future options might be.
Abstract
Drug use is defined as the habit of one not dependent on the stimulation of the drug and has decreased from 1985 to 1988 by 37 percent. Drug abuse is defined as the habit of one dependent on the high from the drug and has increased heavily, particularly in minors. The past efforts of the Federal government have involved prevention, treatment, and drug law enforcement or supply control. Current policies stem from the Anti-Drug Acts of 1986 and 1988 which expand and improve existing drug abuse and prevention services to runaways and homeless youths and their families. One future option discussed is legalization. Another option is prevention with a grass roots prevention approach to deal with the demographics of the changing family structure. Drug war enforcement and combining one or more of the future options are also examined and given the best chance of succeeding. 29 footnotes and 2 figures