The most effective strategies for preventing drug use, keeping drugs out of neighborhoods and schools, and providing a safe and secure environment for all people, are cooperative efforts that mobilize and involve all elements of a community. But none can take a parent's place. Drug education must begin at home. We must offer a disciplined environment to our children conducive to learning. We recognize that our schools, our workplaces, and our communities cannot be places where education comes first unless and until they are drug free.
Drug addiction is a disease, and anyone suffering from a disease needs treatment.
But many chronic drug users and addicts also are criminals who violate the rights of others in our society. In these instances, a balance must be achieved between sanctions for criminal activity and treatment of an addictive disease. There is compelling evidence that treatment is cost-effective in the long run, and provides significant public safety benefits by breaking the cycle of drug use and crime. However, criminal acts must be punished, and tough sanctions often are needed to compel drug-addicted criminals to stop using drugs and committing crimes. A significant percentage of the people in our jails and prisons are there because of drug problems.