According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Associated Press issued an article regarding the White House putting more of a consertive effort into the war on drugs by putting more resources into the prevention of substance abuse and helping addiction treatment centers.
President Obama has pledged to “treat illegal drug use more as a public health issue than a criminal justice problem”. For many who have battled with addiction and for those who serve as counselors and advocates for drug rehab facilities, this is a major step forward in the fight against drug abuse in our nation.
This new drug control policy that is being recommended by the White House will help boost community efforts with anti-drug programs, give health care providers encouragement to screen for substance abuse before the cycle of addiction can take over one’s life, and will help in the expansion of treatment to include mainstream health care facilities.
White House Drug Czar, Gil Kerlikowske states; “It changes the whole discussion about ending the war on drugs and recognizes that we have a responsibility to reduce our own drug use in this country”.
This new drug plan is all about intervention before substance abuse turns into addiction. The policy is set to help addiction treatment professionals, as well as, health care professionals intervene in the lives of their patients before any further damage is done because of the power of addiction. This strategy set forth by the White House is a huge step forward in reducing chronic drug use, drug abuse deaths from illegal prescription overdose which is on the rise in United States. Prescription drug abuse has become our nation’s biggest obstacles in the war on drugs because of its easy accessibility.
Drug rehab facilities and health care professionals around the country applaud the White House for taking this stand against drug abuse. And hope that the success of this drug control policy will encourage the nation to help take a stand and join the efforts in the prevention and treatment of addiction.
Chattanooga Times Free Press, Vol.141, No.148, May 11, 2010
