Q: What is the goal of National Drug Prevention and Education Week?
A: I recently introduced a resolution with my colleague Senator Joe Biden of
Delaware that would designate the week of February 10 as National Drug Prevention and Education Week. The resolution urges communities, schools and families to engage in prevention and education programs and activities to reduce and stop drug use before it starts. Studies show that while drug use among high school students has declined over the past few years, there is still wide-spread use among kids over the age of twelve. We must continue to raise awareness of the problem in order to push this trend downward even further. Community anti-drug coalitions are a key player in sending kids a clear and consistent anti-drug message. These organizations provide a solid foundation at the local level by promoting education and prevention and helping encourage kids to make healthy choices. We get the best results when parents, schools and communities work together. Encouraging this collaborative effort will help point kids in the right direction and away from drugs.
Q: As drug abuse continues to evolve, what is being done to keep pace with the emergence of new drugs?
A: The landscape of the underground drug trade continues to evolve and our laws must keep pace to ensure the safety of our youth. While studies show overall high school drug use declining, the use of ecstasy, prescription drugs, and cold medicines is on the rise. Parents and kids don't realize that prescription drugs and over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can be just as deadly as any illicit street drug when not properly administered and overseen by a doctor. The reality is many of these products contain dangerous and addictive substances like dextromethorphan ( DXM ) that, when abused, can lead to serious injury or death. To stop this dangerous trend, Senator Biden and I introduced the DXM Abuse Reduction Act which regulates the sale of DXM, and products containing DXM, and penalizes vendors who knowingly or intentionally sell DXM in its finished dosage form to persons under 18.
While stand-by remedies found in our own medicine cabinets are the drug of choice for many young people, I’m hearing alarming stories of new ways to make deadly drugs like meth and heroin more appealing to kids at younger ages. Kids are overdosing oncandyflavored meth and heroin mixed with over-the-counter sleeping aids--otherwise known as "cheese". To counter this disturbing trend, Senator Feinstein and I introduced legislation to double the amount of jail time for first offenders and triple jail time for repeat offenders who flavor or disguise drugs. As parents, friends, and family, we must do all we can to keep kids free from dangerous drugs, whether they are on the street or in the family medicine cabinet