One of the main concerns which have been dominating those who work for anti-drug authorities is the problem surrounding the amount of youths who are beginning to abuse drugs from an early age. Some of the data which has been collected from all of the states in America by the Office of National Drug Control Policy has gone on to suggest that approximately half of all students go on to try a drug like marijuana at some point during their school careers. To add further insult to injury, many young people strongly believe that marijuana is easily available to them - meaning that many have the opportunity to abuse a substance if they wanted to.

 Naturally, this implies that the authorities are not doing enough in Washington (and in the state of America) to dissuade young people from abusing drugs which could ruin their future. After all, with a drug addiction having the possibility to devastate a student's grades, damage any employability characteristics and leave family ties strained, teenagers can stand to lose a lot
should they become under the influence of a drug. So - what are some of the things which are being done in order to ensure that vulnerable youth are being protected from the big, bad world of drugs?

For those who partake in extra-curricular activities or in sports competitions which are connected to a young person's school, a ruling has indicated that random drug-screening tests can take place in order for the authorities to determine whether anyone who is demonstrating suspicious behaviour has been abusing an illegal substance.

 The fact that the drug tests which are available (known as urinalysis - where urine is tested to see if there are any chemical imbalances caused by drug abuse in the 24 hours prior to the test) are done so at random has been seen to deter some students who would not want their parents to find out about any illegal substances which they may be experimenting with in social situations. With these random screenings reducing the amount of experimentation which is happening in Washington (known as one of the first stages on the way to addiction), it could be said that there are less youth who are consuming drugs as a result.

There are many programs that have been purposefully created in Washington in order to challenge youth by raising awareness of what the long-term effects can be for those who become addicted to drugs and who do not seek treatment. This comes as scientific proof shows that there are a variety of incurable diseases which can occur as a result of exposure to drugs over long periods of time which can reduce the quality of life a person has, as well as their life expectancy. It is hoped that the truth hurts with drug addiction, and that young people in Washington should begin to see that in actuality, drugs are not as 'cool' as they may seem at first.

With over 65,000 plants being collectively confiscated throughout 2006, authorities like the Washington State Patrol Investigative Services Bureau and the State Patrol Drug Control Assistance Unit are beginning to crack down on those who are distributing drugs illegally to those who are vulnerable in exchange for a profit. Even though technology has meant that Washington authorities have been able to become more effective in tracing where drugs are grown in the state, technology has also meant that the drug traffickers that are active in the area are able to use new methods in order to get more high-potency substances onto the streets in quick succession.

 Christian rehabilitation clinics are the constant in all of this, as they are supporting tens of thousands of those who are vulnerable because of their addictions in their darkest moments. With the care given enabling many people to turn their lives around once and for all, the conclusion of a successful stint in rehab has signalled a new beginning for many.