Ten years ago, the United Nations determined that the world drug problem had reached a level of seriousness to warrant a “vigorous plan of action to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs.” Since then, the U.N. has encouraged its member nations to implement strategies that reduce trafficking and demand within their borders.
But the international fight against drugs has proven to be a stubborn opponent. A survey released on June 18, 2008 by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime showed that coca cultivation in Columbia, Peru and Bolivia showed “marked increase” in 2007 over any year since 2001. This increase is despite the expenditure of billions of U.S. dollars to reduce or eliminate cultivation of coca, the plant from which cocaine is derived.
In keeping with their goals of reduction of demand and trafficking, the United Nations has designated June 26th as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. A recent report from the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs stated that “a decline in consumption generally occurs in countries that have implemented long-term and sustained demand reduction strategies.”
“A demand reduction strategy must and always will include effective treatment for those addicted to heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and other drugs,” stated Gary Smith, the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “If an addict goes through treatment and does not eliminate the cravings, depression and guilt that keep him locked in his addiction, then he is likely to use another addictive drug, often soon after he leaves rehab.
“Because the long-term, holistic and drug-free program at Narconon Arrowhead addresses and handles all three barriers to addiction recovery, 70% of our graduates stay clean and sober after they leave,” Smith added. “Since its inception in 1966, Narconon has been completely dedicated to the same goals as those described by the United Nations.”
Those who have a loved one suffering from addiction have little to celebrate unless they can find a way to help the addict recover from addiction. To help in this situation, Narconon has just released a free booklet titled Guide to Addiction Recovery for a Lifetime. Families can learn what addiction is and how it can be overcome, how to evaluate addiction treatment programs, and how to approach the addict to convince them to get treatment.
Those wishing to receive a copy of Guide to Addiction Recovery for a Lifetime can call Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit their website at http://www.stopaddiction.com/. The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program was founded in 1966 by William Benitez in Arizona State Prison, and is based on the humanitarian works of L. Ron Hubbard. In more than 120 centers around the world, Narconon programs replace the loss and pain of alcohol or drug addiction with productive, enjoyable lives.
