Synthetic Drug Control Strategy: A Focus on Methamphetamine and Prescription Drug Abuse

This describes the Administration’s strategic approach for reducing illicit drug use in the United States. The Administration’s Synthetic Drug Control Strategy is a companion to the National Strategy. It follows the main principles set out in the National Strategy: that supply and demand are the ultimate drivers in all illicit drug markets and that a balanced approach incorporating prevention, treatment, and market disruption initiatives (such as interdiction, arrests, prosecutions, and regulatory interventions) is the best way to reduce the supply of, and demand for, illicit drugs.

The Synthetics Strategy also adheres to the format of the National Strategy by setting ambitious goals for reducing synthetic drug use at a rate approximating 5 percent each year. Specifically, the Synthetics Strategy outlines a strategy for reducing pastmonth methamphetamine use by 15 percent over three years and pastmonth prescription drug abuse2 by 15 percent over three years. Additionally, because the production of methamphetamine poses significant human and environmental risks, the Administration has also set a goal of reducing domestic methamphetamine laboratories by 25 percent over three years.