Series: 16 Of 16

WAR ON DRUGS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY

As the U.S. government expends billions of dollars on the war on terror
across the globe, another war is taking its toll much closer to home - the
war on drugs. Over the past five days, The Daily Home has examined the
problems associated with illegal drug use from all angles and one thing is
exceedingly clear - it has become a issue of epidemic proportions.

The illegal drug trade is ruining lives - not just those of the users, but
also their families, and in many cases, their victims. Drug cases are
clogging the courts and swamping law enforcement agencies.

Officials within the legal system say the majority of the cases they deal
with are in some way drug related, either for possession and distribution
or for the myriad of other crimes illegal drug use spawns.

No facet of our society is untouched by illegal drug use. Drug abuse knows
no bounds - race, income, social, gender or age. Everyone is at risk and
everyone is affected.

And, from counselors to judges to the police on the streets, officials who
are fighting this war say the tactics being used are not working.

That's not to detract from the valiant efforts of law enforcement officers
and the other front-line soldiers who are trying to stem the tide of
illegal drug use. It's that the growing problem is of such overwhelming
magnitude for them to handle with the resources on hand.

But those same officials say there is a solution, the war can be won.

The best way for that to happen is to stop the drug abuse before it begins.

That means better education in our schools, focusing not only on preventing
drug use by students, but by steering them away from behaviors and life
styles that promote such use.

It means educating parents about what they need to be on the lookout for
and teaching them how to talk to their children frankly about the dangers
of illegal drug use.

It also means educators, counselors and law enforcement must work to
intervene for children who, because of a dysfunctional family life or
high-risk living environment, are at greater risk for falling into the drug
trap.

While a host of other courses need to be taken to deal with the drug
problem - from better treatment options for addicts to ending the revolving
prison doors for repeat drug offenders - the war on drugs will be won or
lost with our children.