The report urges us, as policymakers, to reexamine our priorities and shift our attention to drug prevention and treatment. This bill does just that, and, I hasten to add, it does so without undermining in any way our commitment to supply reduction. Indeed, this bill, it can be said, ultimately will help to cut supply by reducing the demand for drugs among those who are the most consistent and addicted users those who may want to break the vicious cycle of addiction, but are physically unable without the treatment programs authorized by this bill. Demand reduction starts with educating all of America s children about the harmful, destructive nature of drugs, and that education must start at home. Parents, grandparents, priests, pastors, rabbis, teachers, sports heroes, celebrities, and everyone else involved in a child s life need to take an active role in educating our children about the dangers of drugs.
Drug abuse knows no boundaries.
It doesn t discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, or class. It is truly an equal opportunity destroyer. Parents need to stop deluding themselves into believing that moving to the suburbs, away from the temptations and evils of the inner cities, will prevent drug dealers from reaching their children. They need to stop thinking that it is always the other family s kid who is using drugs. Unless children are given the knowledge and truth of how drugs will ruin their health and future, they are vulnerable to the lies of those who are peddling drugs.