Re-treating the War On Drugs? A New National Drug Control Strategy
The United States "war on drugs" has produced some impressive numbers. For instance, America has the highest population of prisoners than any other nation in the world, nearly half of which are incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. Unfortunately, though, our "war" has done little to curb the influx and use of illegal drugs in the more than 40 years of enforcement-centric drug policies.In July 2014, the Obama Administration released a new national drug control strategy. This approach, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is geared toward evidence-based public health and safety initiatives. The plan also rejects what it refers to as "the false choice between an enforcement-centric "war on drugs" and drug legalization."
One seismic attitude shift is the administration's belief that science has proven addiction is a disease of the brain and not a moral failing. This is a giant leap from previous policies, and proponents of the president's plan feel that this alone will have a great affect in reducing the stigma associated with treatment for drug and alcohol dependency.
President Obama's plan for reforming drug policy and attacking this public health issue is centered around the following 4 initiatives:
- Prevent drug abuse before it ever begins through education
- Expand access to treatment for Americans struggling with addiction
- Reform our criminal justice system to break the cycle of drug abuse, crime and incarceration while protecting public safety
- Support Americans in recovery by lifting the stigma associated with those suffering or in recovery from substance abuse disorders
Specifically, this new strategy will address the national epidemic of opioid abuse by, among other things, having the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fast-track an auto-injector for opioid overdose reversal. It will also release an opioid overdose toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Along with public education programs for prevention, the administration's affordable care act makes it illegal for insurance companies to refuse treatment to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The "smart on crime" section of the plan intends to reform federal mandatory minimum sentencing policies regarding drug offenses, and to offer alternatives, such as treatment overseen by drug courts.
The Obama administration is keen to point out that 43 percent of the nation's drug budget is spent on treatment and prevention. The amount of spending in these efforts has grown every year, and is currently at its highest level in 12 years.
Critics of this new plan, however, are countering with the fact that of the $25.6 billion requested for the drug war in 2013, $15 billion would still go to law enforcement. Some estimates put the total of a four-decade long "war on drugs" at $1 trillion out of the American taxpayers pockets.
Despite the argument that the new national drug control policies don't go far enough, there's no denying that a more rational and science based approach to drug and alcohol addiction is making its way into the hallowed halls of government. This is an incredibly positive step in the right direction.
