ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING ILLICIT DRUG USE

Although alcohol is the drug most frequently used by adolescents, illicit drug use is a serious concern as well. Youth are experimenting with a variety of illicit drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, acid, inhalants, and methamphetamines, as well as other “street” drugs. Illicit drug use is associated with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; teen pregnancy; school failure; motor vehicle crashes; and expensive healthcare costs. Apart from these problems, illicit drug use by youth often results in substantial disruptions in family and social lives. The annual economic costs to the United States from drug abuse for all ages were estimated to be $110 billion in 1995 (Healthy People 2010 2001).

The rise of drug use and the problems that accompany it have mobilized community members to take action against these problems in creative ways. Local environmental actions that curb the sale and use of illicit drugs may not always be directed solely against the drugs. For example, a civil action to take over a run-down apartment building due to health and safety violations may also temporarily deny drug dealers a place to conduct their business. It is believed that actions to improve the general physical environment of a community may also reduce drug-related problems and make illicit drugs harder to attain.