FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE IS A VETERANS' ISSUE - GET INVOLVED!
The scourge of drug abuse may be more devastating to American society than war.
The pathway of drug abuse travels from cities to suburbs and on into the heartland of our country. Many of America's greatest resources, its children, are on a course of self-destruction. The number of drug and alcohol abusers reaches into the millions.
Drug abuse is tearing apart the institutions Americans hold dear. The fabric of the family, our traditional source of strength, is clearly fraying, as our young people turn to marijuana and cocaine while their parents pop pills and drink "just one more."
The abuse knows no social or economic boundaries. Although it is more prevalent among the poorer population, drug abuse is also found among the privileged.
America's veterans are getting involved in the fight against drug abuse. Why? Is it a veterans' issue? The answer is yes. It is an issue for all of us.
- We live together. Improving the lives of our friends and neighbors will improve our own lives.
- We have a moral obligation. It is part of our nation's Judeo-Christian ethic to help those in need.
- We are among the abusers. Veterans can count among their ranks many who are fighting private wars with illicit drugs or battling the bottle. Many of our homeless veterans, as we know, are in their dire situations due to drug and alcohol abuse. Also, as an aging segment of the population, veterans represent one of the largest group of abusers of prescription drugs, the elderly.
- We cherish this country. Veterans want to preserve and protect America for future generations.
So, it is a veterans' issue. To that end, a coalition of veterans' service organizations has been established to do its part in the fight against drug abuse. It is called VAD, Veterans Against Drugs Advisory Board. The goal of VAD is to help other successful anti-drug programs, using the resources and nationwide network of America's veterans' organizations.
Throughout the country, many JWV Echelons have begun developing their own anti-drug programs that respond to the specific needs of their communities. If you want more information on establishing your post’s anti-drug program contact Programs Coordinator, C/O JWV Program Department.
In Brooklyn, the Sgt. Meyer Levin Flat Bush Post 169 sponsored an essay contest. The topic of the essays was "Drugs: Why We Shouldn't Use Them." Brooklyn's P.S. 238's 1990 graduating class participated in the contest. The winners received U.S. Savings Bonds.
Have you got an anti-drug program in your community that your Post can participate in? National Headquarters encourages you to do so. If the National staff can help you, please contact the JWV Programs Department.
"The Other Drug Problem"
Medication Misuse in Older Americans
JWV has produced a new video as a community service of the JWV of the United States of America and with Project Pride (a division of the Chabad Lubavitch). This video describes the hidden drug problem facing our nation - the misuse of prescription drugs.
One hundred billion dollars a year are lost due to patient noncompliance with medications. Hundreds of thousands of people suffer severe medical consequences, such as heart attacks and kidney failure due to noncompliance. Health insurance costs rise as a direct result of the increased hospital admissions and nursing home costs related to noncompliance.
This JWV video, "The Other Drug Problem" offers valuable insight into how to improve the quality of your life by managing your medications properly. The video is available for $35.00. Contact Cheryl Waldman in the JWV Programs Department to place an order.
