WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance of providing a strong and clear message to the youth of the world concerning the dangers of drug abuse; and WHEREAS, according to the SAMSHA Household Survey, although drug use by Americans age 12 and older was dramatically reduced between 1985 and 1992, such use has been steadily increasing each year since 1992; and WHEREAS, the 1997 National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) report on drug use revealed that the number of 12 year olds knowing a friend or classmate who uses LSD, cocaine or heroin has more than doubled since 1996 (11% to 24%); and

WHEREAS, the 1997 CASA report also disclosed that the number of 9 to 12 year olds trying marijuana doubled from 1995 to 1996; and

WHEREAS, the 1997 CASA report disclosed that between 1992 and 1996 the proportion of 8th graders who said they used marijuana during or before the 7th grade rose from 7.7% to 12.7% and the average age of first-time marijuana use has steadily declined from 24.2 in 1963 to 16.3 in 1994; and

WHEREAS, the 1997 University of Michigan Monitoring the Future Study reveals a continuing long-term rise in the use of marijuana by 10th and 12th graders as well as disturbing increases in the use of cocaine and other dangerous drugs; and

WHEREAS, a 1998 survey by Harvard University, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Maryland disclosed that drugs and drug abuse was rated as the number one problem facing American youth by 56% of those surveyed, far outranking other concerns; and

WHEREAS, the August 1997 National Institute of Justice Drug Use Forecasting Report disclosed that over 50% of all juveniles arrested tested positive for an illicit drug at the time of their arrest; and WHEREAS, by the year 2005, there will be more teenagers in the United States than at any time in history, especially those approaching the prime crime years of 18-22; and WHEREAS, the most recent Monitoring the Future Study clearly demonstrates an historical pattern that when children begin to associate drugs with risk, they disapprove of drug use and drug use decreases; and

WHEREAS, between 1992 and 1997, as the volume of anti-drug messages and public service announcements began to decrease, we witnessed a corresponding increase in drug use by our youth; and

WHEREAS, the Partnership for a Drug Free America has launched an ambitious national media campaign aimed at educating the American population about the dangers of drugs, and the ultimate effectiveness of the campaign is dependent upon the activities of communities and institutions to reinforce the messages delivered throughout the campaign; and

WHEREAS, continuing increases in drug use by our citizens will eventually result in destruction and damage to further generations of youth and babies yet to be born; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, duly assembled at its 105th annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, strongly endorses the efforts to present clear and unequivocal messages to the youth of society warning of the dangers of illegal drugs; and be it further

FURTHER RESOLVED, that all law enforcement agencies are encouraged to actively participate in delivering support to school and civic programs designed to teach young people the dangers of drug use as a recognized goal in producing drug free communities.