Office of the First lady
Every year, thousands of Americans are injured or killed by reckless drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we send our prayers and unending support to every American who has lost a loved one—and we reaffirm our commitment to preventing drug and alcohol abuse on our roads, protecting American lives, and making America safe, healthy, and strong.
Drugs and alcohol distort judgment, reduce reaction time, and compromise the ability to make safe decisions behind the wheel. Impaired driving tragically claims an American life every 42 minutes. For this reason, my Administration is working tirelessly to end the substance abuse crisis once and for all.
Since I returned to office, I have taken a series of bold and unprecedented steps to halt the flow of illegal drugs into our country by securing our borders and increasing support for law enforcement. Under my leadership, the Office of National Drug Control Policy is taking action to address and prevent substance use disorders and disrupt the criminal networks that fuel them. We are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in programs like the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and restore order and safety to our streets. My Administration is also working to increase access to treatment so that every American battling drug and alcohol use has a path to total recovery and we will continue working with our partners in the states to raise awareness through high visibility enforcement campaigns, such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
This month, we remember all those whose lives were stolen by impaired drivers. We extend our gratitude to the heroic police officers, first responders, healthcare workers, and local organizations who are working on the front lines to prevent these catastrophes. Above all, we recommit to preventing these senseless tragedies—and we renew our resolve to never waver in putting the safety, health, and well-being of the American people first.