What can be done to illustrate the fact that drug use is not necessarily drug abuse?
RC: Drug use and drug abuse are two different things, just like alcohol use and alcohol abuse. Drug and alcohol abuse are social problems and should be treated that way. It has been proven that education and treatment are much more effective than jail, and a lot cheaper. I think that attacking the demand side of the problem through education and treatment is far more effective than going after the supply side. Kids from the age of 12 to 18 should be required to attend drug, alcohol and sex education classes every year until they graduate high school. Show them AIDS patients at hospitals. Tour hospital emergency wards with them to see the damage done by drunk drivers. Tour prisons and jails with them to show them the end result. To drink a beer socially is alcohol use. To drink till you puke is alcohol abuse. Anytime a person drinks or uses drugs so often to affect their health, or others, they are abusing. Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others, but jail is not the a
