NCJ Number
232082
Journal
ONDCP Update Volume: 1 Issue: 8 Dated: 10/2010 Pages: 1-6
Date Published
October 2010
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Following a drug prevention message from the Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), this ONDCP newsletter addresses Federal perspectives on preventing substance abuse, grants to help communities prevent drug abuse, an Arizona drug prevention plan, Red Ribbon Week, Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and a National Guard Program that helps youth "Stay on Track."
Abstract
The recently confirmed ONDCP Deputy Director of Demand Reduction for the ONDCP argues in his message that "stopping drug use before it begins is a cost-effective, common-sense approach to promoting safe and healthy communities." Based on this message, drug prevention was made a foundational pillar of the Obama administration's 2010 National Drug Control Strategy and one of ONDCP's signature initiatives. The newsletter also reports on recently conducted interviews with leaders from three Federal agencies regarding their agencies' respective roles, initiatives, and collaborative opportunities related to substance abuse prevention. The newsletter then reports on ONDCP grants totaling $85.6 million to help communities to prevent drug use. The newsletter also provides information on Arizona's Operation Fertile Ground, the largest drug operation in the country's history. Involving officer from Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, the operation in Pinal County involved the arrest of 24 suspects on drug trafficking and other charges. Red Ribbon Week, always held the last week in October, pays tribute to a slain Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent (Enrique Camarena) by motivating millions of youth to choose living drug free, symbolized by wearing red ribbons. Prescription Take-Back Day on September 25 calls upon residents of communities throughout the Nation to take potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unneeded prescription drugs to designated sites for destruction. Another program, Stay on Track, has helped more than 250,000 students throughout the United States to "stay on track" in their decision to remain drug free.