Office of National Drug Control Policy

ONDCP Blog

September 16, 2013 at 5:47 PM EDT

Innovation in Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Treatment

Today, the Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted a conference at the White House to highlight innovative technologies for substance abuse treatment, wellness, mental and behavioral health. Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the conference was kicked off by U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske.
September 10, 2013 at 4:41 PM EDT

Substance Abuse Prevention is Suicide Prevention

When we prevent or successfully treat substance abuse, we prevent suicides. There is a powerful connection between the missions of the substance abuse prevention and treatment communities and the suicide prevention community – and much to be gained when these groups come together around their common goals.
August 28, 2013 at 11:32 AM EDT

Announcing the Opioid Overdose Toolkit

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, this Saturday, August 31, we are joining other federal partners to announce the release of the Opioid Overdose Toolkit. The Toolkit, developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides information on overdose prevention, treatment and recovery for first responders, prescribers, and patients.
August 12, 2013 at 1:00 PM EDT

Real #DrugPolicyReform: DOJ’s Change in Mandatory Minimum Policies

Today, the Department of Justice refined its charging policies regarding mandatory minimums
for certain nonviolent, low-level drug offenses. The policy changes are part of the Department
of Justice’s “Smart on Crime” initiative, a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system
aimed at ensuring federal laws are enforced more fairly, and federal resources are used more
efficiently, by focusing on top law enforcement priorities.
August 12, 2013 at 1:00 AM EDT

Real #DrugPolicyReform: DOJ’s New Criteria on Compassionate Release Requests

In a new Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Program Statement issued today, the BOP will clarify and expand the criteria the BOP uses to review compassionate release requests – which are also referred to as “reduction in sentence” (RIS) requests.
July 31, 2013 at 11:56 AM EDT

Honoring National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 2008, July has been recognized as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to explore issues concerning mental health and substance use disorders in our communities.
July 2, 2013 at 3:12 PM EDT

2013 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy Released

Today, the Office of National Drug Control Policy released the 2013 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy, a key component of the Obama Administration’s unprecedented work to strengthen security along the Southwest border.
June 28, 2013 at 2:54 PM EDT

Guest Post: A Policy Focus on Recovery in New York

On June 4th, Deputy Director Michael Botticelli joined public health officials in New York to discuss integrating a focus on recovery into alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.

National Drug Control Strategy

Drug use affects every sector of society, straining our economy, our healthcare and criminal justice systems, and endangering the futures of young people. While many challenges remain, overall drug use in the United States has dropped substantially over the past thirty years.

To build on this progress and support a public health approach to drug control outlined in the Strategy , the Obama Administration has committed over $10 billion drug education programs and support for expanding access to drug treatment for addicts. Learn about the Obama Administration’s balanced public health and safety approach to reducing drug use and its consequences in America. Read more

Topics

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing drug problem and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about this public health threat and comprehensive, government-wide actions being taken by the Administration to reduce prescription drug abuse. Read more

Drugged Driving

Americans are all-too familiar with the terrible consequences of drunk and distracted driving. An emerging body of research shows that drugged driving is also a serious threat to public safety. Learn more about this issue and what the Administration is doing to encourage safe driving. Read more

Prevention

Preventing drug use before it begins is a cost-effective, common-sense approach to promoting safe and healthy communities. The Administration is working with Federal, state, local, and tribal partners, as well as community grantees, to educate teens on healthy choices and to prevent drug use before it starts. Read more

Special Populations

While drug addiction respects no geographic, ethnic, economic, or social boundaries, there are some specific populations that deserve focused efforts, including