[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 10 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Pages 312-313]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting the National Drug Control Strategy

March 1, 2004

To the Congress of the United States:

    I am transmitting the 2004 National Drug Control Strategy, 
consistent with the Office

[[Page 313]]

of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 
1705).
    Two years ago, my Administration issued its National Drug Control 
Strategy setting forth a balanced approach to reducing drug use among 
teenagers and adults. The Strategy set ambitious two- and five-year 
performance-based goals: (i) to lower the rate of drug use by 10 percent 
over two years; and (ii) to lower the rate by 25 percent over five 
years. The success of the Strategy can be measured by its results.
    I am pleased to report that we have exceeded our two-year goal of 
reducing drug use among young people. The most recent survey shows an 11 
percent drop between 2001 and 2003 in the use of illicit drugs by 
teenagers. Among teens, some drugs--such as LSD--have dropped to record 
low levels of use. For others, we are seeing the lowest levels of use in 
almost a decade.
    Despite this good news, drug addiction continues to challenge far 
too many Americans. Addiction to drugs destroys ties of trust, family, 
and friendship, and reduces all the richness of life to a single 
destructive desire. Almost every American has known someone who has 
followed the self-destructive path of addiction. Too many Americans want 
to change a family member's behavior, but are afraid of causing division 
and, perhaps, estrangement.
    Our Strategy proposes a remarkable and unprecedented array of drug 
control programs, treatment initiatives, and media campaign efforts. But 
more than any program, it seeks to engage the desire of all Americans to 
make this a better Nation, facing down the lie of addiction, and 
offering the hope of recovery.
    My Administration will continue to place a high priority on reducing 
drug addition in America. I ask for your continued support in this 
critical endeavor.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 March 1, 2004.