    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 1, 2008]
    [Pages 300-302]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    March 1, 2008

        Good morning. Today my administration is releasing our 2008 National
    Drug Control Strategy. This report lays out the methods we are using to
    combat drug abuse

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    in America, and it highlights the hopeful progress we're making in the
    fight against addiction.
        When I took office in 2001, our country was facing a troubling rate
    of drug abuse, particularly among young people. Throughout America,
    young men and women saw their dreams disrupted by the destructive cycle
    of addiction. So I committed our Nation to an ambitious goal. In 2002,
    we began efforts to cut drug use among young people by 25 percent over 5
    years.
        Our strategy has three key elements. First, we are working to
    disrupt the supply of drugs by strengthening law enforcement and
    partnering with other countries to keep drugs out of the United States.
    Second, we're working to reduce the demand for drugs through prevention
    and education programs. And third, we're providing treatment options for
    those who've fallen prey to addiction.
        These efforts have produced measurable results. Since 2001, the rate
    of youth drug abuse has dropped by 24 percent. Young people's use of
    marijuana is down by 25 percent. Their use of ecstasy has dropped by
    more than 50 percent. And their use of methamphetamine has declined by
    64 percent. Overall, an estimated 860,000 fewer young people in America
    are using drugs today than when we began these efforts.
        Our drug control strategy will continue all three elements of this
    successful approach. It will also target a growing problem, the abuse of
    prescription drugs by youth. Unfortunately, many young Americans do not
    understand how dangerous abusing medication can be. And in recent years,
    the number of Americans who have died from prescription drug overdoses
    has increased.
        One of the factors behind this trend is the growing availability of
    highly addictive prescription drugs online. The Internet has brought
    about tremendous benefits for those who cannot easily get to a pharmacy
    in person. However, it has also created an opportunity for unscrupulous
    doctors and pharmacists to profit from addiction.
        One victim of such a doctor was Ryan Haight. The young man from
    California was only 18 when he overdosed on painkillers that were
    illegally prescribed over the Internet. With only a few clicks of the
    mouse, Ryan was able to get a prescription from a doctor he had never
    met and have the pills sent to his front door. The doctor who wrote
    Ryan's prescription had previously served time in prison for illegally
    dispensing controlled substances.
        We need to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.
    So I'm asking Congress to work with my administration to put an end to
    the illegal sale of highly addictive prescription drugs on the Internet.
    By working together to meet this goal, we can ensure a safer future for
    our children.
        Government action is only one part of the solution to the problem of
    drug abuse. Others in our society have an important role to play as
    well. People in the entertainment and sports industries serve as role
    models to millions of young Americans, and that comes with the
    responsibility to dispel the notion that drug abuse is glamorous and
    free of consequences. Teachers, pastors, and parents also have an
    obligation to help young people develop the character and self-respect
    to resist drugs. The Federal Government will continue to do its part to
    keep our young people safe, and I urge all Americans to do the same. Our
    children deserve nothing less.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on February 29 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on March 1.
    The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on February 29, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.

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