Assignment: The War on Drugs

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Assignment: The War on Drugs

The “War on Drugs”

Renewed interest in prevention/treatment efforts

6Laws Impacting Substance Abuse

Anti–Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988

Increased funding for treatment and rehabilitation

Created the Office of National Drug Control Policy (“drug czar”)

Worked on a public health approach to drug control

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Science on drug abuse and addiction

Prevention

Treatment

Decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS

Other priority areas

7Laws Impacting Substance Abuse (Cont.)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Builds and sustains programs, policies, information and data, contracts, and grants toward helping the nation act on the knowledge that promotes behavioral health treatment through all levels of prevention

8Prevalence, Incidence, and Trends

Alcohol use by persons aged 12 or older:

Slightly more than half (52.8%) drink alcohol

Binge drinking at least once in prior 30 days— (22.6%)

Heavy drinking—6.2%

Young adults ages 18-25 had highest prevalence of binge and heavy drinking—39.8%

Drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in past year—11.1%

– SAMHSA (2011)

9Prevalence, Incidence, and Trends (Cont.)

Illicit drug use by persons aged 12 or older:

About 8.7% were current drug users, used an illicit drug during the past month

Illicit drugs used

Marijuana was the most commonly used drug

Others included cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) used nonmedically

– SAMHSA (2011)

10Prevalence, Incidence, and Trends (Cont.)

Nonmedical use of prescription-type psychotherapeutics

There is a significant increase in the lifetime nonmedical use of pain relievers—specifically Percocet®, Percodan®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Darvocet®, Darvon®, Tylenol® with Codeine, Propoxyphene, or Codeine Products, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone

– NIDA (2010)

11 Prevalence, Incidence, and Trends (Cont.)

Hallucinogen, inhalant, and heroin use

LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide)

Peyote cactus

Psilocybin

PCP (phencyclidine)

Inhalants of choice are amyl nitrite, “poppers,” followed by glue, shoe polish, or toluene; correction fluid, degreaser, or cleaning fluid; gasoline or lighter fluid; and spray paints and other aerosols.