Obama Targets Drug Abuse

The growing problem of prescription abuse has a new champion: The Obama administration. In May 2010 the government rolled out a new national drug control strategy. The focus of this new plan is to curb prescription drug abuse, which has grown at an alarming rate in the U.S.

Prescription drug abuse is "America's fastest growing drug problem, driving significant increases in drug overdoses in recent years,” according to the administration.

Goals for Cutting Drug Abuse

The White House explained that their plan establishes multiple five-year goals relating to drug abuse, including a 15 percent reduction in the number of chronic drug users, a 15 percent reduction in the rate of youth drug abuse, and a 10 percent drop in drug abuse by young adults, according to CNN.com.

Additional goals include cutting the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent and the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent. The specific focus of the administration over the next year will be slowing prescription drug abuse and drugged driving instances through drug use prevention.

To prove the need for campaigns against drugged driving, the administration cited a recent survey that showed that on an average weekend night one in six drivers "tested positive for the presence of drugs."

“[The new plan] calls for a balanced approach to confronting the complex challenge of drug use and its consequences," President Barack Obama said, adding, "By boosting community-based prevention, expanding treatment, strengthening law enforcement, and working collaboratively with our global partners, we will reduce drug use and the great damage it causes in our communities."

Drug Abuse Prevention

If you or someone you love is battling a drug addiction, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.