Youth-oriented prevention programs today can reduce the number of addicted adults who will cause enormous damage to themselves and our society tomorrow. By reducing the number of dependent drug users, we can lessen the adverse health and welfare consequences of illegal drug use as well as attendant criminal activity. Of particular concern is the relationship between drugs and crime. A disproportionate number of more than twelve million property crimes and almost two million violent crimes that occur each year are committed by drug users or traffickers. Unless we shield our borders from the flow of illegal drugs, the United States will never stem the tide of drug abuse.
Interdiction is the key to stopping drugs from crossing our borders and reaching our neighborhoods.
Therefore, the national drug control strategy must target sources of supply as well. Working with source and transit nations offers the greatest prospect for eliminating foreign sources of supply. America's drug problem is not static, as indicated by the recent emergence of methamphetamine. Still other drugs are used for the first time. Our strategy must contain the means to identify and monitor new drug use trends so that programs can address them proactively.