President Trump’s New Budget Blueprint Retains White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Contact: Anisha Gianchandani
anisha@learnaboutsam.org
+1 (703) 828-8182
[Alexandria, VA, March 16, 2017] — Today, SAM President Kevin Sabet commented on President Trump’s 2018 Budget Blueprint that retains the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as a critical office overseeing strategies and programs aimed at reducing drug use and its consequences:
“The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is vital to the mission of so many groups working every day to reduce drug use, stem addiction, promote recovery, and protect public safety. We don’t want to see a new ‘War on Drugs’ centered on arrests for marijuana possession, but the Big Marijuana special interest lobby must be held accountable for endangering the health and safety of American communities. This office is doing meaningful work to combat the opioid overdose epidemic, prevent drug use among youth, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. We’re glad that the Administration is acknowledging the serious effects of drug use in our country by supporting an office that prioritizes public health and prevention. We’re hopeful that the release of a more detailed budget in the coming weeks will advance smart approaches to drug policy that will reduce drug use and its consequences.”
A February 17 New York Times story reported that ONDCP was on The White House’s list of programs that could be cut to rein in domestic spending. On February 23, a sign-on letter from more than 70 medical and drug policy organizations, including SAM, was sent to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney. The letter urged the Trump Administration to save ONDCP.
Evidence demonstrates that marijuana – which has skyrocketed in average potency over the past decades – is addictive and harmful to the human brain, especially when used by adolescents. In states that have already legalized the drug, there has been an increase in drugged driving crashes and youth marijuana use. These states have also seen a black market that continues to thrive, sustained marijuana arrest rates, and a consistent rise in alcohol sales.
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About SAM
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states. For more information about marijuana use and its effects, visit https://learnaboutsam.org.