This National Strategy acknowledges the serious challenges that confront the Nation in responding to drug use problems and sets forth key programs to address the most intractable aspects of the drug problem. Initiatives are presented to aggressively reduce chronic drug use; effectively reduce the supply of illicit drugs through strong enforcement and international drug control programs; and prevent drug use by the Nation's youth. The Strategy presents four action plans designed to accomplish the following: reduce the demand for illicit drugs; reduce crime, violence, and drug availability; enhance domestic drug program flexibility and efficiency at the community level; and strengthen interdiction and international efforts. The first action plan for reducing the demand for illicit drugs enhances national drug abuse prevention efforts targeting young people with a proposal to develop a National Drug Prevention System. The second action plan for reducing crime, violence, and drug availability emphasizes the importance of strong linkages among all elements of the criminal justice system and prevention, education, and treatment efforts. The third action plan for enhancing domestic drug program flexibility and efficiency at the community level is based on the knowledge that the Nation's drug problem will ultimately be solved at the community level. The fourth and final action plan for strengthening interdiction and international efforts gives priority to international narcotics control efforts. Tables, figures, and appendixes A-C