Chapter II. Demand Reduction Goals, Objectives and Target Measurement
A. Demand Reduction – Cornerstone of the U.S. Response
The National Drug Control Strategy proposes a ten-year conceptual framework to reduce illegal drug use and availability 50 percent by the year 2007. If the goal is achieved, just three percent of the household population aged twelve and over would use illegal drugs. This level would be the lowest recorded drug-use rate in American history. Drug related health, economic, social, and criminal costs would also be reduced commensurately. In order to achieve these goals, the Strategy call for a comprehensive, balanced approach to the drug problem that involves prevention, treatment, research, law enforcement, protection of our borders, and international cooperation.
But among these approaches, Demand Reduction is the key. The U.S. recognizes that it will never be able to interdict all drugs coming across our borders. Even if we could, substantial amounts of drugs -- for example, marijuana and methamphetamine -- could still be produced domestically. Nor can we ever arrest our way out of the drug problem. Continuing and expanding demand reduction programs, as well as promoting increased participation by the private sector, are paramount objectives of the National Drug Control Strategy.
