Drug abuse is a common problem in our schools and communities that is perpetuated by drug addiction that is not easily overcome. Drug addiction is a complex disease. It is estimated that substance abuse within the United States costs approximately $600 billion each year (drugabuse.gov). There is the notion that people who are addicted to drugs have low morals and standards, or lack the willpower needed to abstain from using. What many fail to recognize is that drug abuse alters the brain function which cultivates drug addiction. When this happens, addicts have great difficulty breaking the cycle of drug abuse. However, once an individual is hooked on drugs, it can have a definitive impact on their lives and the lives of their loved ones resulting in a myriad of problems such as job loss, incarceration, hospitalization, drug rehabilitation, and alienation. This is a vicious cycle that if left untreated will continue to repeat itself. Drug addiction can be nearly impossible to escape from without intervention treatment. There is hope for drug addicted individuals. With proper treatment and prevention, individuals can not only be cured but can go on to lead healthy, productive lives.

As drug abuse has become so prevalent within U. S. society, there have been a number of treatment and prevention programs established at varying levels to fight the war on drugs. In schools, campaigns such as “Just Say No” and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program serve to teach students about the risks and dangers of drug use. The D.A.R.E. program is taught at the elementary level with the primary objective of reaching children before they become exposed to drugs. Additionally, the program teaches good decision-making skills and empowers students to respect others and strive to lead normal, healthy, productive lives (dare.org).

The program was started in 1983 by Los Angeles Police Chief, Daryl Gates, who had spent the previous two decades dealing with drug addicted youth and realizing it was an increasingly, growing problem. Prior to this there was no formal drug prevention program in place to educate youth. Now in its 33rd year, the D.A.R.E. program is a nationwide effort that is incorporated into schools across the nation. The program utilizes local law enforcement to educate students on bullying, school, internet, and community safety, drug legalization, and prevention of all of these mediums which have the potential of negatively impacting students’ lives (dare.org).

There is a whole host of drug treatment and prevention programs within the community that target different types of drug addiction coupled with varying circumstances. For example, drug intervention treatment programs have been established for pregnant woman who abuse drugs during pregnancy. Some of the treatments include psychosocial interventions (Terplan, Ramanadhan, Locke, Longinaker, & Lui, 2015). This form of treatment intervention has proven effective in treating other types of drug abusers. The level of psychosocial interventions used in pregnant women consists of contingency management (CM) and motivational interviewing based (MIB) techniques. The objectives of using these techniques are to encourage pregnant women to remain in treatment programs for the duration in order to reduce substance abuse. Motivational techniques utilize incentives such as monetary vouchers awarded on the basis of pregnant women being treated meeting goals and objectives. There is also counseling to help pregnant women understand their addiction and help them overcome it for the sake of their health and that of their unborn children.

Within the prison system there are drug treatment programs that offenders are subjected to. In many cases these programs are mandated by the court system as part of their sentencing. Because this is an involuntary requirement, many drug addicts serving time are less compelled to willfully engage in treatment interventions. Research has shown that those offenders who complete drug treatment programs are more likely to continue a drug-free lifestyle, have improved psychological functioning, and increase the likelihood of finding employment opportunities upon release from prison (Casares-López, González-Menéndez, Fernández, Secades-Villa, & Fernández-Hermida, 2012).

Within the community setting, there are many drug addiction treatment programs consisting of education, interventions, and counseling as outpatient service options offered to individuals and their families. There are also many drug rehabilitation centers that offer programs of treatment, intervention, and recovery on both long and short-term basis to drug addicts. These type programs offer counseling and solutions to overcoming addiction and preparing addicts with the necessary tools and resources for strategies for coping with their addiction upon program completion as they integrate back within society.

Treatment and prevention are critical to the success of overcoming drug addiction. Educating addicts as to the reasons behind why they become addicted helps them to better understand that drug addiction is a disease that cannot be overcome without proper treatment interventions. It is a rigorous process that must be endured if success is to be achieved in overcoming drug addiction. The key is educating children at the elementary level in school when they are young and have not been exposed to drugs as to the risks and dangers of drug use. Doing so promotes a sense of well-being at the outset that equips them with tools and resources that can be utilized as they grow. Education is perhaps the primary means by which to fight drug addiction. Prevention at the outset is another key factors. The success of treatment and intervention programs are a testament to their success and long-term residual outcomes that result from them.