Drug Czar: Youth exposed to pro-drug messages

“Kids today are exposed to huge, huge amounts of media-directed programs that are pro-growth messages,” National Drug Control Policy Director R. Gil Kerlikowske said at a Speakers press conference May 12.

He outlined Obama administration's new drug control strategy designed to align the strength of local, state, tribal and federal agencies, community-based organizations and non-governmental partners.

Tasked with overseeing the federal approach to major efforts that attempt to reduce the inflow of illicit substances and the abuse of easily-obtained prescription drugs, Kerlikowske pointed to “media-directed” information that gave little or no impression of the consequences of drug abuse.

“The messages that are of most concern to me are the messages that show drug use with no consequences, “he said, noting that many entertainment artists today are “anti-drug” but apparently get little notice.

He told of traveling on a recent mid-afternoon flight to Washington, D.C. which included a television program featuring two actors who were obviously smoking marijuana — a point he discussed with the flight’s purser.

A veteran law enforcement and drug policy officer, Kerlikowske coordinates all aspects of federal drug control programs and the implementation of the national strategy, which is based on a balance of prevention, treatment and law enforcement and seeks a 15 percent rate reduction of youth drug use in the next five years.

The most effective way to keep youth drug-free, the policy office says, is to prevent them from getting involved with drugs in the first place.

Obama's 2011 budget asks for 13.4 percent more funding over for drug prevention. That includes more than $22 million in grants to study key issues, $85.5 million to mobilize community prevention efforts and more than $66 million for a youth anti-drug media campaign.

Border security with Mexico shows some encouraging signs, he said, describing a recent change in authority at Juarez where military personnel no longer serve as law enforcers. The duties have been turned over to the federal police in Mexico. He called Jaurez the epicenter of the problem between the two countries, but expressed confidence that President Calderon was making important changes to aid enforcement.

Asked about erecting a fence along the border, Kerlikowske said that while improvements in stopping smuggling have been made, it would be incredibly difficult to secure a 1,960-mile border, especially when determined individuals resort to the use of ultra-light aircraft and car ramps to bring drugs into the country.

One major aspect of reducing drug traffic across the border, the drug czar said, is reducing America’s demand for drugs.

“If we weren’t quite such a large consumer nation, then the profit motive to smuggle drugs across the border would not be so high, he said. In addition, “It (requires) good intelligence information between two countries, it’s having police forces of low corruption, it is reducing our own demand.”