In 2010 President Obama has had his focus on creating better strategies for the Drug Policy in the United States. Back in September the President wrote an official proclamation to proclaim September as National Recovery Month.He has come out and addressed the issue by stating:
” The Obama Administration is proud to express its support for those living healthy and productive lives in long term recovery. We applaud those working to help struggling Americans break the cycle of abuse, and we encourage those in need to seek help.”
The efforts of the current administration should be applauded, but some may question the difference between this and past major drug awareness campaigns.
For example Back in 1980 Nancy Reagan launched her “Just say no” campaign, which educated children about the effects of drug use. This campaign also provided a simple and effective way of refusing an offer to partake in drug use; “Just say NO!” During the height of her campaign drug use in high school students and young adults dropped rapidly.
A study was done by the University of Michigan that showed High School students using:
- Marijuana dropped from 50.1% in 1978 to 36% in 1987, to 12% in 1991
- Psychedelic drug use dropped from 11% to 6%,
- Cocaine dropped from 12% to 10%,
- Heroine dropped from 1% to 0.5%
Years later the numbers once again started increasing. Whether it be due to disinterest, lack of concern by the American population, or losing momentum; stability in keeping the numbers low should be a priority. Clearly, awareness of the harmful affects of drug abuse are known. Everything from commercials to awareness groups have been created to publicize this information. The end result being… telling people what they already know.
With the efforts of the current Administration the attention has been moved to a different focus. Instead of shedding light on what can happen when abusing alcohol or drugs, the attention has been changed to; Here is what to do when you have a problem.
Finally, people can be educated on a solution.
That solution can be found in the 2010 Drug Control Strategy. Among other things, the strategy has included the following statement. Also included is an outline on the plan to educate those who already find themselves living with the most harmful effect of any drug…Addiction.
“Integrate Treatment for Substance Use Disorders into Health Care, and Expand Support for Recovery: For millions of Americans, substance use progresses to a point where brief interventions are not sufficient to promote recovery. Addiction treatment can be a critical—even lifesaving—resource in such situations, but only if it is readily available and of high quality. Making recovery possible is, therefore, key to effective drug control, and the Obama Administration’s Strategy focuses on:
••Expanding addiction treatment in community health centers and within the Indian Health Service
••Supporting the development of new medications to treat addiction and implementation of medication-assisted treatment protocols
••Improving the quality and evidence base of substance abuse treatment, including family-based treatment
••Fostering the expansion of community-based recovery support programs, including recovery schools, peer-led programs, mutual help groups, and recovery support centers”
The expected results by 2015 being:
- Reduce the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent
- Decrease drug use among young adults by 10 percent
- Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15 percent
- Reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent
- Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent
Now the question is…will this work?
Will offering a solution to those who may not be aware of one create a decline in current statistics? You be the judge…
What do you feel could or should be done to reach those in need of this knowledge?How do we reach those walking in the path we only look back at as a reminder of where we came from? Now its time to find our solution on how to bring light and educate
- The addict that is in acceptance of their addiction, but don’t know they have the resources available. While also lacking hope that there is different possibility then what they have made their reality.
- As well as the addict that is in denial about their addiction; fully believing that anything troubling in their life is due to circumstance, or is the fault of someone else.
For those in recovery a sense of compassion is felt for still suffering addict. It is strongly encouraged to read the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, so you can then can pass on the gift of knowledge to the addict that is still lacking information and encouragement on how to make the most important step of their life.
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Women In New Recovery 