[House Document 115-5]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




115th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 115-5


 
                     NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 THE ADMINISTRATION'S 2016 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY, PURSUANT TO 
   21 U.S.C. 1705(a); PUBLIC LAW 105-277, SEC. 706(a) (AS AMENDED BY 
           PUBLIC LAW 109-469, SEC. 201(a)); (120 STAT. 3513)

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  January 12, 2017.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
  Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, 
 Education and the Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed 
 Services, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, Veterans' 
 Affairs, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Financial Services, Homeland 
Security, and Intelligence (Permanent Select) and ordered to be printed

                                   ______

                         U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

69-011                         WASHINGTON : 2017 

























To the Congress of the United States:
    I am pleased to transmit the 2016 National Drug Control 
Strategy summarizing the accomplishments of my Administration's 
21st century approach to drug policy and opportunities to 
continue to reduce the burden of substance use in the United 
States. My Administration released its first Strategy in 2010 
with a commitment to use the best available science and to 
consult broadly to develop a balanced and comprehensive 
approach to drug policy that incorporates both public health 
and public safety approaches to address this complex problem.
    We set aggressive goals to reduce drug use by 2015 and 
though the results of our efforts are mixed, we have seen 
progress in reducing drug use and in cooperation both 
nationally and internationally. As a Nation we exceeded our 
goals for reducing alcohol and tobacco use among youth and for 
reducing the number of new HIV infections attributable to drug 
use. We have been less successful in reducing illicit drugs in 
youth and young adults as well as reducing the number of drug-
induced deaths and driving while drugged. We also face serious 
challenges including an epidemic of opioid use and overdose 
deaths as well as growing threats from drug trafficking 
organizations involved in manufacturing and distributing 
cocaine and synthetic drugs, including novel psychoactive 
substances. These threats may continue to have an impact on 
drug use across lifespans, particularly chronic drug use and 
its consequences that contribute to poor academic performance, 
crime, underemployment, lost productivity, and health care 
costs, all of which threaten families and communities.
    My Administration has consistently sought a broad coalition 
of partners to provide input into the development and 
enhancement of the Strategy during the past 7 years. We have 
invested in science to better understand the nature of 
addiction and inform the prevention and treatment of addiction 
and support services to help maintain recovery in the 
community. We have sought to use medical terms and non-
stigmatizing language when discussing substance use disorders, 
and those who suffer from this disease. Our support for law 
enforcement has led to significant outcomes in taking down drug 
trafficking organizations and removing millions of pounds of 
drugs from the market. And our work with our international 
partners has been instrumental in our allies' increasing 
regulation of chemical precursors to synthetic drugs and 
reducing their movement across the globe. Throughout my 
Administration, we have used the best available evidence to 
balance the Nation's public health and public safety and drive 
collaborative efforts to create healthier, safer, and more 
prosperous communities.
    The Nation's work in reducing drug use and its consequences 
is not done and there are many opportunities for advancing 
efforts to address ongoing and emerging challenges. I thank the 
Congress for its continued support of our efforts and ask that 
you continue to support this vital endeavor.
                                                      Barack Obama.
    The White House, January 11, 2017.
    
    
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