Letter From "The White House" - from President Barack O'Bama

July 30, 2012 Dear Kimberly: Thank you for writing. I have heard from many Americans about the threat drugs pose to our communities, and I appreciate your perspective. Substance abuse affects individuals from all backgrounds, and its debilitating effects often go unaddressed. Too many families are affected by substance use disorders, and the costs to our economy due to drug-related consequences are too high. We have a responsibility to prevent substance abuse, help Americans with substance use disorders obtain treatment, and promote recovery, all while stemming the flow of illicit drugs around the world. My Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy establishes 5-year goals for reducing drug abuse and its consequences through a comprehensive approach including prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation. The Strategy is grounded in what science, research, and evidence show are the most effective ways to treat our Nation’s drug problem. As a result, it is guided by three facts: addiction is a disease that can be prevented and treated; people with substance use disorders can recover; and innovative criminal justice reforms can stop the revolving door of drug use, crime, incarceration, and re-arrest. The most cost-effective way to address the drug challenge is to prevent drug use before it begins. There is overwhelming evidence that drug prevention programs achieve meaningful results with significant long-term cost savings. That is why this Administration’s programs emphasize prevention, especially when it comes to young people. For those Americans already suffering from a substance use disorder, we are working to find ways to intervene early through the public health system and are supporting programs that can divert those who need help to the appropriate type of treatment. We must also directly combat drug-related crime and trafficking. As part of this effort, my Administration has deployed more personnel, infrastructure, and technology along the Southwest border than ever before to disrupt the illicit trade in drugs, guns, and cash. We have expanded international cooperation with the government of Mexico, which is addressing the threats posed to both of our nations by transnational criminal organizations. To strengthen our efforts to tackle drug crime worldwide, we will continue working with other nations considered major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries. These measures, as well as innovative criminal justice programs like drug courts here in the United States, will save lives and help protect our communities from the great damage caused by drugs. Together, we can reduce our country’s demand for illegal drugs. Our communities require solutions that fit their needs, and our parents need accurate information to prepare their children to reject illegal drug use. To learn more about our Nation’s drug control efforts, please visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP. Sincerely, Barack Obama