Statement by John P. Walters,
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee,
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources.
February 26, 2002
Stopping Use Before it Starts: Education and Community Action
Everyone agrees that preventing a young person from experimenting with illicit drugs in the first place is far preferable than having to treat or incarcerate that same person after he or she develops a drug use problem. And while it is true that each person who uses marijuana or cocaine once or twice may not be destined for a life of drug addiction, the fact is that large percentages do remain drug users.
Recent data from Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse show that roughly 60 percent of youth who try cocaine and LSD during high school are still using drugs at graduation. Data from the NHSDA show that the earlier people initiate drug use, the more likely they are to develop a drug problem later in life. Adults who first used marijuana at the age of 14 or younger were 5 times more likely to be classified with drug dependence or abuse than adults who first used marijuana at age 18 or older.
Drug prevention is not an elusive concept. We know what works. We will employ research-based principles of prevention to guide our policies and programs.
We will enlist our communities, schools, faith-based and service organizations, and the media to help our children make the conscious decision that drugs have no place in their lives. We recognize that parents and other caregivers have a unique opportunity to shape a child's views on many critical issues, including the decision not to use drugs.
Unfortunately, parents cannot remain at their children's side at all times to protect them from those who will attempt to convince them to use drugs. Parents can commit to providing the hope, guidance, and support necessary for their child to possess the self-worth needed to make the decision to reject drugs. Parents and other responsible caregivers can raise children to have a sense of responsibility for their actions and teach that there are consequences for inappropriate actions. Parents and other responsible caregivers can instill a belief system in children that understands drug use is dangerous, wrong, and will not be tolerated. Children will listen.
The President's FY 2003 Budget Request puts the necessary resources behind our commitment to reduce drug use in the near term. The following are key budget highlights that will contribute to our shared effort to stop drug use before it starts:
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program: $644 million ($634.8 million drug-related). The budget continues funding for this school-based drug and violence prevention program aimed at young people. To improve evaluation and better direct program activities in FY 2003, ONDCP will work with the Department of Education to develop a useful evaluation plan that will provide the data needed to impose program accountability, while alerting schools to problem areas.
- National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign: $180 million. The Media Campaign uses multi-media advertising and public communications strategies aimed at youth and parents to promote anti-drug attitudes and behavior. The campaign is a comprehensive national effort that integrates paid advertising at national and local levels with public information outreach through a network of public and private partnerships to amplify and provide local context for campaign messages.
- Drug-Free Communities Support Program: $60 million. This ONDCP program provides assistance to community groups on forming and sustaining effective community and anti-drug coalitions that fight the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by youth. Further, the President's request includes $2 million for the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute. The Institute will provide education, training, and technical assistance for coalition leaders and community teams that will help coalitions to evaluate their own performance.
- Parents Drug Corps Program: +$5 million. This new initiative, funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service, will encourage parents to help children stay drug-free by training them in drug prevention skills and methods.
Last Updated: March 4, 2002
