This past week we’ve watched the news as the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, was laid to rest. In reading article after article and watching the media coverage, I was curious about his stance on the “war on drugs.”

Researching on the internet is always interesting as you can find views that swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. However, here are some paraphrased facts I found consistently:

Every president since Eisenhower has created new measures to decrease drug use in the United States. The first actual positive reports showed a 37% drop in casual (non addicted) overall use from 1979 – 1989. Despite the downward trend at that time, drug abuse and addiction rose in popularity with the casual use of cocaine, the invention of crack cocaine, and exports from Columbia, Bolivia and Peru.  

President Regan’s war on drugs began with First Lady Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign in the 1980’s, focusing less on profits to drug lords and more on the destructiveness to the family, the cost to business and the crime connections. (The Bureau of Labor estimated that 9% of employees show up to work with drugs in their systems, which costs businesses an estimated $60 billion every year!) The connection to crime was emphasized by a report revealing that of the 132,620 people convicted of crimes in 1983, 48% were under the influence. Despite the efforts of the Reagan’s, 20 to 40 million people still used drugs.

President Bush and the Office of National Drug Control Policy felt that the best way to get causal use to end was to put the primary focus on demand here in America, rather than putting the major focus on the supply from other nations. His administration worked towards a 10% decrease in casual drug use over the next two years and a 50% reduction over the next ten years.

Bush’s war on drugs did produce results. The biggest success was a 22% decrease in cocaine use. But, was the government responsible, or was it the education/prevention showing the negative effects of the drug first hand? And was it only decreasing among the wealthy? One million people still smoked crack by the end of the Bush administration, many of them poor.  

It was around 1983 when the term “prevention” began to surface.  Reports say that the DARE program did not work, but when I talk prevention with students, DARE almost always comes up. While statistically it didn’t keep millions of people off drugs, it’s difficult to measure those who chose NOT to use drugs because of the program.
 
In 1990, Bush convened a summit with the United States, Columbia, Bolivia and Peru – bringing in the three major cocaine producing nations in South America. Unable to reach agreement, measures were taken to confiscate drugs as they entered the United States. This failed. Estimates were that only 10% of all cocaine entering the country was confiscated.

As a president is laid to rest, a legacy is taken out, dusted off and reviewed again and again. My research shows that President Bush, in his inaugural speech, stated “the scourge will stop.” He implemented plans and dedicated funds. Like presidents before him, and those who will serve after him, they realize we have to educate early and help our youth make healthy choices. Prevention is the key.

Many will say that the drug war was, and still is, a dismal failure. I prefer to believe that the heavier emphasis on treatment with factually correct education, starting in the younger years of life and consistently repeated will help us raise a generation of youth addicted to life, not drugs.  


Debi Dockins, Executive Director

“I am super excited to work with CCI to support community coalitions’ efforts to prevent substance abuse among youth. I think 2019 is going to be an exciting new year for Idaho Coalitions.” - Ashley 

Where are you from?
Ucon, Idaho

How long have you lived in Idaho?
I grew up in a small town called Ucon and then moved ten miles into the town of Idaho Falls.

What brought you to the area?
My family had been in Eastern Idaho for generations. I grew up on a farm, always loved animals and enjoy the Idaho mountains. I was taught that farmers are stewards of the land and I feel as if I am a steward of my community. I can honestly say right now, there is nowhere else I would rather live.

Family: 
I am the oldest of seven children. My siblings are very important to me and we are all close.

Keith is my prince charming, who keeps me energized and listens to all my ridiculous and innovative business ideas. He even puts up with my two dogs, Dex, a German shepherd and Bentley, a standard poodle.

Occupation: 
Outside of CCI, I am starting my 5th year working with my local coalition, Bonneville Youth Development Council. When first hired to work with BYDC, I attended the National Coalition Academy and obtained my Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credentials. To go through these programs from the start was incredible. This was only possible due to the wonderful mentors I've had.

I enjoy outreach within my community, talking to others about their passions and showing people how their passion and prevention is relative to their life.

What do you hope to accomplish working for CCI, goals, aspirations?
I would like to see CCI promote individual coalition successes even more. Prevention is hard, and I think we need someone to celebrate with us! I want to understand more about each of the coalitions in Idaho and support them. I would like CCI to continue connecting coalitions, to collaborate and be able to stand as a unified voice for Idaho. Also, be open-minded of other types of substance abuse prevention professionals and groups, even if they don't fit our box, in efforts to create a bigger advocacy network.

What do you do for fun? 
I am passionate and daydream about innovative, nonconventional business ideas and then discuss them with whoever will listen. Also, I enjoy listening to audible books and hanging out with the dogs while cleaning the house. My favorite activities are hiking, visiting natural hot springs and I consider raising two types of composting worms as a hobby.