THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today, my Administration is releasing our
2008 National Drug Control Strategy. This report lays out the methods we
are using to combat drug abuse in America. And it highlights the hopeful
progress we're making in the fight against addiction.
When I took office in 2001, our country was facing a troubling rate of
drug abuse, particularly among young people. Throughout America, young
men and women saw their dreams disrupted by the destructive cycle of
addiction. So I committed our Nation to an ambitious goal: In 2002, we
began efforts to cut drug use among young people by 25 percent over five
years.
Our strategy has three key elements. First, we are working to disrupt
the supply of drugs by strengthening law enforcement and partnering with
other countries to keep drugs out of the United States. Second, we're
working to reduce the demand for drugs through prevention and education
programs. And third, we're providing treatment options for those who've
fallen prey to addiction.
These efforts have produced measurable results. Since 2001, the rate of
youth drug abuse has dropped by 24 percent. Young people's use of
marijuana is down by 25 percent. Their use of Ecstasy has dropped by
more than 50 percent. And their use of methamphetamine has declined by
64 percent. Overall, an estimated 860,000 fewer young people in America
are using drugs today than when we began these efforts.
Our drug control strategy will continue all three elements of this
successful approach. It will also target a growing problem -- the abuse
of prescription drugs by youth. Unfortunately, many young Americans do
not understand how dangerous abusing medication can be. And in recent
years, the number of Americans who have died from prescription drug
overdoses has increased.
One of the factors behind this trend is the growing availability of
highly addictive prescription drugs online. The Internet has brought
about tremendous benefits for those who cannot easily get to a pharmacy
in person. However, it has also created an opportunity for unscrupulous
doctors and pharmacists to profit from addiction.
One victim of such a doctor was Ryan Haight. The young man from
California was only 18 when he overdosed on pain killers that were
illegally prescribed over the Internet. With only a few clicks of the
mouse, Ryan was able to get a prescription from a doctor he had never
met and have the pills sent to his front door. The doctor who wrote
Ryan's prescription had previously served time in prison for illegally
dispensing controlled substances.
We need to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future. So
I'm asking Congress to work with my Administration to put an end to the
illegal sale of highly addictive prescription drugs on the Internet. By
working together to meet this goal, we can ensure a safer future for our
children.
Government action is only one part of the solution to the problem of
drug abuse. Others in our society have an important role to play as
well. People in the entertainment and sports industries serve as role
models to millions of young Americans, and that comes with the
responsibility to dispel the notion that drug abuse is glamorous and
free of consequences. Teachers, pastors, and parents also have an
obligation to help young people develop the character and self-respect
to resist drugs. The Federal Government will continue to do its part to
keep our young people safe, and I urge all Americans to do the same. Our
children deserve nothing less.
Thank you for listening.
|