Pubdate: 31 Oct 1999 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 1999 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4066 Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/ Author: Sam W. Nolen, Director, Illinois State Police. DRUG-ABUSE DECLINE SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Police was delighted to see the latest results from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse showing that youth drug use has decreased slightly over the past year. But I caution everyone--parents, teachers and other adults--not to become complacent with these results. Although the percentage of youth ages 12-17 having used drugs dropped from 11.4 to 9.9 percent, substance abuse is still a widespread problem. As children are now back in school, the number of situations increase where substance-abuse opportunities may present themselves. That is why substance-abuse prevention efforts must be sustained, even intensified, in order to continue producing tangible progress. The ISP continues to work tirelessly in its efforts to impact youth substance abuse through vigorous statewide enforcement, drug interdiction and prevention education. Foremost in the agency's strategy focusing on youth substance abuse is the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) school-based curriculum. The Illinois State Police is also committed to its involvement in the largest substance-abuse prevention campaign ever undertaken in our state. Entering its second year, Illinois. . .Get in the kNOw is a statewide substance-abuse prevention campaign, which carries prevention messages to youth ages 10-17. For prevention information, call the campaign hot line at 800-252-8951, extension 222. Ultimately I hope substance-abuse prevention efforts such as this campaign will help young people and adults better understand the realities of drugs. Sam W. Nolen, Director, Illinois State Police - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea