Get Active Subscribe Support Us

DRUG WAR MUST INCLUDE PREVENTION

Recently the news has been full of reports of violence in Mexico and some border states, all related to the export of illicit drugs to the United States.  As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted, this trade is directly related to our insatiable appetite for illicit drugs.  Tom Teepen, in his March 28 column "Drug war surging," wrote of the need to move beyond the "war on drugs" strategies promoted that have been in favor for the last 30 years.  Unfortunately in his list of options he completely avoids mentioning prevention.  Drug use prevention programs have been seriously underfunded, receiving a small fraction of the resources devoted to the problem.  Yet prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and when strongly promoted has marked effects.

The reduction in tobacco use is an example of what can be achieved with a comprehensive approach including changing community norms, policies and prices; cigarette smoking went from 45 percent of the population in the 1960s to less than 20 percent currently.  The increased tax on alcohol and tobacco products being proposed by the governor is one very effective mechanism to decrease youth substance use and should be supported by our legislators.  Furthermore, a portion of the revenue obtained should be dedicated to efforts to prevent substance use particularly among youth.  The Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition promotes drug and alcohol prevention in all sectors of the community; just as substance abuse affects everyone so also the prevention of this disorder requires everyone's participation.

David Ames, M.  D.

Greenvillee