National Drug Control Strategy 1997

Contents: the purposes and nature of strategy (a comprehensive 10-year plan); profile of drug abusers (trends in youth drug abuse; health consequences; cost of drug-related crime; illegal drugs remain available); strategic goals and objectives (demand and supply reduction; goals and objectives; measures of effectiveness); a comprehensive approach (youth oriented initiatives; initiatives to reduce drug-related crime and violence; reduce health and social problems; shield our frontiers; reduce drug availability); and resources to implement the strategy.

This federal document offers a comprehensive approach to reduce demand for illegal drugs and decrease their availability. Supported by statistical tables and graphs, the summary is divided into six sections. "The Purpose and Nature of the Strategy" outlines a 10-year plan for drug interdiction and reduction and identifies the elements of that plan. "America's Drug Abuse Profile" offers an overview of the problem with a graphic and statistical analysis of the pertinent information. "Strategic Goals and Objectives" outlines five goals of the drug strategy and supports them with immediate objectives. The five goals are: (1) educate and enable America's youth to reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco; (2) increase the safety of America's citizens by substantially reducing drug-related crime and violence; (3) reduce health and social costs to the public of illegal drug use; (4) shield America's air, land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat; and (5) break foreign and domestic drug sources of supply. "A Comprehensive Approach" broadens the initiative to include educational, law enforcement and community programs across the country. "Resources to Implement the Strategy" provides a statistical and graphical analysis of the funding allocated for the effort. The final section, "Consultation," indicates that the lines of communication will remain open among the government, its citizens, and their allies in the drug war. (MJP)