Congressman Sander Levin

More Anti Drug

I am actively involved both at home and in D.C. with the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. I believe our approach to drug use must be consistent and it must focus on engaging entire communities in combating substance abuse.

I am the co-author of the federal program, The Drug Free Communities (DCF) Support Program, which is designed to reduce substance abuse among young people by supporting community anti-drug coalitions made up of youth, parents, local law enforcement, school officials, faith-based organizations, government agencies, health professionals and other community members.

I am also working to preserve the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, which has served as the backbone of school-based substance abuse prevention and intervention efforts. The 2010 federal budget proposal recommends eliminating the program’s grants to states, which would effectively eliminate drug and violence prevention education across the country.

While studies have shown a decline of youth substance use in recent years, the statistics are beginning to trend upward. The most recent data from the Monitoring the Future survey, last conducted in 2008 by the University of Michigan, shows that more 10th graders have used marijuana in the past thirty days than have used tobacco.

We have learned that our approach to substance abuse must be consistent, strong, and it must include prevention, treatment and law enforcement efforts. It must also involve all segments of our community in sending a unified message to our youth, and providing them with the tools necessary to avoid drugs.

(Updated June 22, 2009)