How can we contribute to preventing drug use in the United States?

  • People need to be encouraged that drug use is not normal or a part of everyone’s maturing process. 2007 surveys tell us that 92% of Americans do not use drugs, so we don’t have to tolerate drug use in others.
  • We can increase funding for prevention efforts and education to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs at every school level – from elementary to college.
  • We should work to keep our laws tough against marijuana use on the federal and state levels to ensure that more people do not fall into addiction.
  • Research into ways of safely delivering any promising chemicals found in cannabis should be continued in order to help those who could benefit from medicines derived from the marijuana plant.
  • The establishment of and funding for drug courts – the only chance some have to get the help they need - must be supported to help the addicted.
  • We need to seriously consider how implementing drug testing can help identify those in need of treatment in the workplace and in schools.