Reclaiming Our Communities from Drugs and Violence
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" \. , .... ~ .. -" f .;,. .' ~.. ,,':;,.. r,' :. " , .' .' ~...; " '; '" •• atlona• rug ontro trategy Reclaiming Our Communities From Drugs and Violence NCJRS OCT 14 1994 ACQURSKl'llONS 150489 U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or pOlicies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material has been granted by Office of National Drug Control policy to tha National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permission of the copyright owner. "\'::\'," ,..:..... ~.~<~. ~" ....: ... (" ....:. ~..;~', .. ' ,:.~.".,.;' .. ~ ....,... ,<:., .. Message From the President TO THE CONGRESS OF the underlying causes of addiction, and the human THE UNITED STATES: and societal harms hardcore drug use causes. To reverse this trend, the 1994 Drug Control Strategy I am pleased to transmit today to the Congress proposes the largest increase in Federal support for and the American people the 1994 National Drug the treatment of chronic or hardcore drug users. Control Strategy. This Strategy builds on the foun~ The Strategy proposes expanding treatment oppor~ dation set in the 1993 Interim National Drug Con~ tunities in communities around the country and trol Strategy, which was released in September after Congress passes the Crime Bill-providing 1993. additional and substantial drug treatment and intervention services in the criminal justice system. The Interim National Drug Control Strategy challenged this Nation to fundamentally change Treating hard core users is more than compas~ the way we respond to our drug problem. First, sionate and cost effective; it makes sense. The that Strategy changed the focus of drug policy by ability ofdrug treatment to reduce criminality is targeting chronic, hardcore drug users-the heavi~ well documented, and treating heavy users saves est users who fuel the demand for drugs and put America money over the long run. A recent study great strains on our society in the form of conducted by the National Institute on Drug increased crime, health costs, and homelessness. Abuse found that every dollar spent on drug treat~ Second, it called for renewed prevention efforts to ment saves $7-$4 in reduced costs to the public educate the young about the dangers of illicit drug and $3 in increased productivity. Clearly, treat~ use. Third, the 1993 Interim Strategy challenged us ment works. to view the drug issue in the overall context of economic and domestic policy. Our drug policy The Strategy also will continue to strengthen must he tied to our efforts to strengthen families our efforts to prevent all illicit drug use, including and communities, provide meaningful work experimentation by the young and others at risk. opportunities, and restore the conditions of civi~ My Administration stands ready to bolster its drug lized life in America. prevention efforts for in~school youth by commit~ ting new resources to ensure that we have safe and Under the leadership of Director Lee P. Brown, drug~free schools and by sending the strong no~use this new Strategy focuses on the most tenacious and message required to help keep our younger citizens damaging aspect of America's drug problem from being tempted by drugs in the first place. chronic, hardcore drug use and the violence it The most recent information on adolescent drug spawns. This problem ofchronic hardcore drug use use shows what will happen if we are not vigilant will not be easily overcome. Past national drug in our prevention efforts. The declines achieved control policies have failed to come to grips with thus far in the casual or intermittent use of illegal the harsh realities of chronic, hardcore drug use, drugs have taken place in part because drugs are NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY iii __-'CC-~_MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT legally prohibited. For this reason this Adminis How we address the drug problem says much tration will never consider the legalization of ille about us as a people. Drug use and its devastation gal drugs. extend beyond the user to endanger whole fami lies and communities, Drug use puts our entire We will continue with strengthened efforts by Nation at risk. Our response must be as encom Federal law enforcement agencies-in concert passing as is the problem. We must prevent drug with thelr State and local counrerparts-to dis use by working to eliminate the availability of rupt, dismantle, and destroy drug trafficking orga illicit drugs; treating those who fall prey to addic nizations. We also will increase our commitment don; and preventing all our citizem, especially our to State and local law enforcement by helping children, from experimenting in the first place. them put more police on the streets and expand This is the plan we offer to all Americans. community policing. Police officers working in partnership with neighborhood residents to solve In the end, this is not a challenge for the gov drug-related crime problems can have a tremen ernment alone. We can change our laws and dous impact, particularly on open-air drug markets increase the amount of resources we spend to in America. reduce drug use, but still we will have to do more. Individuals must take personal responsibility for The Strategy also challenges us to change the their own actions. Families must take responsibil way we look at international drug control pro ity for their children. Communities must ch&l grams. International drug trafficking is a criminal lenge their citizens to stand up for common activity that threatens democratic institutions, decency and refuse to accept the unacceptable. fuels terrorism and human rights abuses, and Society must nurture the values that best repre undermines economic development. Antidrug sent our character as a nation: work, family, programs must be an integral part of our foreign community, and opportunity and responsibility. policy when dealing with major source and transit countries, equal to the worldwide commitment that the United States devotes to the promotion of democracy, human rights, ~llld economic advancement. Bill Clinton iv NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY Table of Contents Message From the President ..... ...................... ............. .......... ......... ........... ............ ........ .................. iii Executive Summary ............................ '" ............. ........... ................................ .................................. 1 I. Responding to Drug Use in America Today.......................................................................... 9 The Cost of Not Acting ........................................................................................................... 10 The Drug User Population ................... '.... .......... ............... ...... .......... ........ ........ ...... ................ 12 Treattuent System Adequacy................... .............. ....................... ................. ............. ...... ........ 14 Reducing Illicit Drug Production and Availability.................................................................. 15 Improving Drug-Related Data and Analysis ............................................................................ 16 II. Treating America's Drug Problem .......................................................................................... 23 Targeting Drug Treatment to Populations Most in Need ......................................................... 24 Expanding the Capacity To Treat Drug Users .......................................................................... 25 Bringing Drug Treatment Services Into the Mainstream of Health Care ................................ 25 Linking Effective Treatment to Other Social Services ...... ...... .......... ...................................... 26 Evaluating Treatment: Recognizing Effective Medications and Modalities ........................... 26 Applying the Results of Research: Meeting Clinical Needs ................................................... 27 Evaluating Treatment: Strengthening Programs and Approaches ............. ............................. 28 III. Protecting America's Children Through Education and Prevention ............. ...................... 31 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities ............................................. :.......................... 31 National Service Program ........................................................................................................ 32 Drug-Free Workplaces .............................................................................................................. 32 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Primary Prevention ............................................................................. 33 Prevention Research ............. ..................................................... .......... .............................. ...... 34 IV. Protecting Neighborhoods Through Enforcement and Community Action ....................... 37 Putting the Cop "Back on the Beat" ........................................................................................ 38 Reducing the Role of Firearms in Drug-Related Violence ....................................................... 39 Expanding Drug Courts and Boot Camps ...............................................................................