Relook at the National Drug Control Strategy: Supply versus Demand

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to outline how the federal government could improvethe National Drug Control Strategy. By reviewing the ends, ways, and means of past drug control strategies, this paper suggests that it is time for the federal government to shift existing resources from supply reduction to demand reduction programs. It reviews the Presidents drug control budget requests since the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. It points out the limitations of supply reduction efforts and how they have failed to reduce drug abuse. It provides compelling evidence that demand reduction is more cost-effective than supply reduction. Demand reduction programs work but they need priority and more funding support. The author concludes that the federal government could improve the National Drug Control Strategy by concentrating on demand reduction.