ONDCP Releases New Drug Control Strategy

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) this week released its new drug control strategy, which offers a more balanced approach.

The new drug control strategy released Tuesday boosts community-based anti-drug programs, encourages health care providers to screen for drug problems before addiction sets in and expands treatment beyond specialty centers to mainstream health care facilities.

Office of National Drug Control Policy director R. Gil Kerlikowske said the new policy changes the whole discussion about ending the war on drugs. The plan — the first drug plan unveiled by the Obama White House — calls for reducing the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent over the next five years and for similar reductions in chronic drug use, drug abuse deaths and drugged driving.

Kerlikowske criticized past drug strategies for measuring success by counting the number of children and teens who have not tried marijuana. At the same time, the number of deaths from illegal and prescription drug overdoses was rising.

The new drug plan encourages health care professionals to ask patients questions about drug use even during routine treatment so that early intervention is possible. It also helps more states set up electronic databases to identify doctors who are overprescribing addictive pain killers.

The strategy outlines five-year goals to reduce drug use and its consequences:

• Reduce the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent
• Decrease drug use among young adults by 10 percent
• Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15 percent
• Reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent
• Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent

Informed by consultations with state and local officials, community-based organizations, practitioners, and researchers, the new strategy will be implemented through a coordinated national, state and local effort.

To access the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy online visit: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/strategy/index.html.