Foreword
The 1999 National Drug Control Strategy updates the effort to reduce the abuse, availability, and consequences of illegal drugs throughout our country. The Strategy focuses on shrinking America's demand for drugs, through prevention and treatment, and attacking the supply of drugs through law enforcement and international cooperation.
Drug use is preventable. If children reach adulthood without using illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, they are unlikely to develop a chemical-dependency problem. To this end, the Strategy seeks to involve parents, coaches, mentors, teachers, clergy, and other role models in a broad prevention campaign.
Drug dependence is a chronic, relapsing disorder that exacts an enormous cost on individuals, families, businesses, communities, and nations. Addicted individuals frequently engage in self-destructive and criminal behavior. Treatment can help them end dependence on addictive drugs. Treatment programs also reduce the consequences of addictive drug use on the rest of society. Providing treatment for America's chronic drug users is both compassionate public policy and a sound investment.
Along with prevention and treatment, law enforcement is essential to reducing drug use in the United States. Illegal drug trafficking inflicts violence and corruption on our communities. Law enforcement is the first line of defense against such unacceptable activity.
The federal government alone bears responsibility for securing our national borders. Better organization along our land borders and at air and seaports will reduce the volume of illegal drugs reaching our communities. In 1998, 145 metric tons of cocaine were seized enroute to the United States from South America.
The rule of law and human rights are both threatened by drug trafficking. Our international supply-reduction programs attack international criminal organizations, strengthen democratic institutions, and honor our international drug-control commitments.
We are confident that a balanced strategy that relies on prevention, treatment, law enforcement, supply reduction, and international coordination can dramatically reduce the prevalence and social consequences of drug abuse.
Barry R. McCaffrey
Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
