This does not mean, however, that we as citizens cannot do our part to help see that existing laws and policies are enforced. It takes a little courage, and the willingness to speak up, but each little bit helps. The neighborhood convenience store worker who is known to sell alcohol and tobacco to minors is not part of the solution; rather, he is part of the problem. Customers who see or have concrete evidence that this is happening should report the incidents to local law enforcement authorities. In addition, they can also contact State and Federal enforcement boards, which will then conduct their own investigations.
Those people who are aware of the location of houses or other locations where illegal and illicit drugs are kept and sold should report this information to local law enforcement agencies, and be willing to continue checking back with the agency to see what progress is being made.
If a family member or loved one is addicted to prescription drugs, he or she should be lovingly confronted and directed to drug treatment centers that can help him or her overcome the addiction. In the meantime, pharmacists and health care professionals can be contacted and made aware of the problem. They can then make sure that prescriptions are issued and filled only when necessary, in the correct quantities and dosage.
Even with all these strategies and diligent attention to what is occurring around a person, drug abuse will unfortunately continue. Thankfully, there are treatment centers that offer drug rehab programs specifically designed to treat particular drug addictions.
By logging on to http://www.drugstrategies.org/ or calling 1-800-559-9503, concerned persons can receive information on drug treatment centers in their area or region that will offer help to those addicted to drugs.
