Draft a position statement on psychoactive substances in the United States. This statement will be distributed to congress, members of the media, judicial agencies, public health agencies, and other interested parties. The purpose of the statement is to encourage a paradigm shift – to suggest a new way of thinking about psychoactive substances, or, if you wish, to reinforce current ways of thinking. Content for this statement should include (examples are provided on the reverse of this sheet):

-What is the psychoactive substance that is most important to address in the United States? Choose one.
-What current strategies address use of that substance?
-What new strategies do you suggest to address that substance, if any?

Most Important Substance: You to select a single substance (i.e. cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, etc…) that you think is important to address. Then, explain why it is the most important substance.
-Then, how you came to this conclusion
-Provide examples

Current Strategies: Identify one or two current strategies (such as MLDA 21, drug scheduling, warning labeling on cigarette packages, etc…) that have addressed the use of that substance. Then, tie them in to the issue you identified in the first part of the assignment.
-It is acceptable to suggest that no current strategy has been effective.
-Tie these strategies directly to the substance that you identified. How does your strategy help/hurt levels of use of that substance?
If you claim that no strategy has been effective, explain why use of that substance cannot be prevented using current strategies.

New Strategies: Introduce a new idea.
-Provide one reason why people in the United States might support this strategy and one reason others might oppose this strategy.