National Drug Control Strategy

The National Drug Control Strategy, a balanced approach to reducing drug use in America focusing on stopping use before it starts, healing America’s drug users, and disrupting the market for illegal drugs was launched in 2003. The Strategy would pursue ambitious goals: a 10 percent reduction in youth drug use in 2 years and a 25 percent reduction in youth drug use over 5 years. Six years later, this decline in youth drug use continues, at a rate almost precisely consistent with the Administration’s goals. These trends are even more striking when viewed by specific drug. The declines in youth alcohol and tobacco use, combined with sharp declines in illegal drug use, are particularly meaningful as they demonstrate a broad shift in youth attitudes and behaviour.