The U.S. National Drug Control Strategy developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy has two components: supply reduction and demand reduction. Supply reduction involves efforts to lower the amount of illicit drugs available in the United States through interdiction, domestic law enforcement, and international efforts. Demand reduction refers to activities designed to stop young people from using illicit drugs or to intervene in the progression of experimental use of these substances to regular use (called "prevention") and services for people who have already developed problems with illicit drugs (called "treatment").

The demand reduction portion of the federal budget has ranged from nearly $6 billion in 2001 to a proposed $4.6 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2008. As a proportion of the federal drug ...