WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- The Obama administration Tuesday released the outline of its new anti-drug strategy, which leans heavily on preventing and treating addiction.
The 2012 National Drug Control Strategy incorporates programs and laws dating to 2009 and aims to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration that has frustrated law enforcement and policymakers.
"The policy alternatives contained in our new strategy support mainstream reforms based on the proven facts that drug addiction is a disease of the brain that can be prevented and treated and that we cannot simply arrest our way out of the drug problem," said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy.
The White House said in a written statement the thrust of the program would be steering non-violent drug offenders into treatment, youth outreach and using the healthcare system to address addiction. The statement pointed to recent advances in neuroscience that can make treatment more effective.
The plan also vows to clamp down on cross-border smuggling and strengthen counter-narcotics efforts with other nations.
The administration has requested $10 billion to fund drug education programs and expand access to treatment. Another $9.4 billion has been requested for law enforcement and $3.7 billion for anti-smuggling efforts, the statement said.
