IV. Synthetic Drug Control Strategy: Introduction
The Administration is concerned about the increase in the abuse of controlled substance prescription drugs. In response to the data described above, the Administration released its first-ever Synthetic Drug Control Strategy in June 2006, which focuses on methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse. With respect to prescription drug abuse, the Synthetics Strategy calls for a 15% reduction in the illicit use of prescription drugs over three years.
The unique nature of this problem, non-medical use of medically approved prescription drugs, requires a creative balance between aggressively reducing abuse of controlled prescription drugs while simultaneously permitting lawful acquisition of controlled prescription drugs in the practice of medicine. To develop an effective equilibrium between the two general policy concerns, the Administration is committed to prevention, education, and enforcement of non-medical, unlawful use of controlled substances while recognizing the need for legitimate access to controlled substance prescription drugs.
