-- A Report from a JOIN TOGETHER National Policy Panel --

The following policies can dramatically reduce substance abuse and the harm it causes. They are based upon first-hand experiences and on national surveys of community leaders over the last five years as well as on four national policy panels that studied underage drinking, criminal justice issues, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. JOIN TOGETHER (a national leading resource for ideas and technology to fight alcohol abuse, tobacco and illicit drugs) found unanimity from community leaders on these five themes!!!

These policies will work... but only if you make them work. Share them with elected officials and urge them to support them. Develop a plan for putting them into action and seeing them through to achieve success. You will change your community for the better!

I: COMPEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS! Study after study demonstrates the success of treatment in helping dependent people become alcohol/drug free and in reducing crime, violence and associated costs. A 1994 California study showed that illegal activity dropped 48% after treatment - and, the longer the length of stay in treatment the higher the reduction. The system should compel offenders with substance abuse problems to undergo treatment either as a sentence or condition of release.

II. ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON WHO HAS AN ADDICTION GETS TREATMENT! Treatment of substance abuse saves us all money! According to a RAND Study, every dollar spent on treatment saves more than $7 in crime, business and health care costs. Treatment may be the most cost effective way of reducing substance abuse, and even short periods of abstinence reap positive returns to society. We must address the decline in public spending for programs, and inadequate health insurance coverage.

III. MAKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AN URGENT PRIORITY IN EVERY COMMUNITY! All young people are At-Risk of becoming substance abusers, therefore we must enact an urgent agenda of prevention that strengthens enforcement of underage drinking and tobacco use and illicit drug laws, that targets high-risk youth, and that addresses comprehensive substance abuse education.

IV. INCREASE TAXES ON ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO! There is a wealth of data demonstrating that increases in federal, state and local taxes on alcohol and tobacco reduce their consumption and related injuries and deaths - especially among youth. Higher taxes as such, also have the support of 95% of community leaders. Also, additional revenues from higher taxes should be earmarked for funding more alcohol/drug prevention and treatment programs.