This stigma affects not only those afflicted with drug-related problems, but their families, their communities, and the health care professionals who work with them. Unfortunately, the repercussions from this type of thinking go further. Even though drug use is a widespread problem and is increasing among our youth, people question the need for treatment. Instead, the public would prefer to see tax dollars being used to build new jails rather than funding more drug abuse research, prevention, and treatment. But we in the health community know that incarceration without treatment and followup only continues the cycle of despair and does nothing to help the drug abuser return to a healthy, productive life.
Addiction does begin with drug abuse, when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs.
And this is a preventable behavior. Results from NIDA-funded prevention research have shown that comprehensive prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. NIDA has launched a number of multifaceted public information programs to talk about drug abuse and how to prevent it. For example, NIDA is taking the lead role in the Department of Health and Human Services' Marijuana Use Prevention Initiative, providing scientifically based messages about the dangers of marijuana use to the public and, especially, the Nation's school systems. We need to keep sending the message that it is better not to start at all than to have to pick up the pieces of a shattered life if addiction occurs.