The Effective National Drug Control Strategy is based on empirical evidence and studies which show that the policies recommended will be effective. It explicitly recommends that 2/3 of the entire drug control budget should be allocated for drug treatment and prevention. There are two main goals of the Effective National Drug Control Strategy: 1) reduce the harm caused by drug abuse; 2) reduce the harm caused by existing drug control policies. Within these two main goals, there are a number of objectives. The broad thrust of the Effective Strategy is to move from a law enforcement-dominated strategy to a public health-based strategy.

• Commission a non-partisan panel of experts to evaluate current drug control policy.
• Reduce adolescent drug use through fact-based education, prevention efforts, and supervised activity programs.
• Reduce drug problems among all Americans with treatment, education and prevention, with special attention to the specific needs of women.
• Reduce the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases through healthcare services for drug users.
• Provide treatment on request as mandated by Federal law since 1988.
  

• Reduce crime and violence associated with the illegal drug market.
• End the racial bias in drug laws, particularly mandatory minimum sentencing.
• Allow penalties to fit crimes committed, by ending mandatory sentencing and altering sentencing guidelines.
• Reverse the trend toward cutting school budgets to invest in prisons.
• Allow doctors greater freedom in dealing with public health issues.
• Promote health services for all women, not prosecution of pregnant women.
• Enact “family value-friendly” laws which keep familial and social networks intact.
• Stop forfeiture abuse, overzealous search and seizure practices, cruel and unusual punishment, denial of legal counsel, denial of benefits, services, and student loans.
• Reduce corruption of government officials and law enforcement officers.
• Prohibit the use of military forces against U.S. citizens and in domestic policing.
• Demilitarize the border with Mexico, end the involvement of U.S. military in counter drug operations abroad, and end support for foreign operations that undermine human rights objectives.