Drug Prevention: Priority or Not?

What is the National Drug Control Policy doing? It looks like it is completely inadequate. According to a news release by the white house, the Obama administration says it's charting "a new course" in its efforts to fight drug abuse in this country, focusing on more prevention and treatment of drug users. But is this really true?

Their own report seems to show that is inaccurate as nearly 60 percent of the administration’s requested budget for fiscal year 2013 would target the supply side of the drug equation — law enforcement, interdiction and support for international anti-drug trafficking efforts. The remaining funds would go toward prevention (6 percent) and treatment for drug addiction (36 percent).

The Obama administration has given itself a goal of reducing drug use — and its consequences — by 15 percent by 2015. However, according to its recent report, the number of young people using drugs last year was essentially unchanged from 2010. Meanwhile, over the past five years, drug use among 10th graders increased by nearly 25 percent.

Which is most likely tied to the debate of medical marijuana that has swept the nation in the last five years. The ambiguity that has been placed surrounding the issue, has caused confusion, miss information and turmoil for young people in the area of drug experimentation.

Drug prevention is at a serious cross roads for young people. This issue has to be closely watched over time.