NCJ Number
161508
Date Published
1993
Length
128 pages
Annotation
The State Attorney in DuPage County, Illinois, formed a task force in 1991 to prevent and control drug abuse; this task force consisted of more than 100 volunteers from both public and private sectors and produced recommendations for a coordinated drug control strategy.
Abstract
The task force consisted of a steering committee and subcommittees to evaluate current drug programs and develop written recommendations for a unified drug control strategy. Each subcommittee focused on a specific facet of drug control. The task force held press conferences to publicize its efforts, as well as public hearings to obtain information and feedback. In addition, the State attorney's office surveyed businesses, towns, schools, and police departments to gather information on existing drug control efforts. An evaluation of the task force process resulted in the following recommendations for others attempting a similar effort: (1) allow adequate time for the entire process; (2) involve and seek advice from existing organizations with experience in consensus building; (3) involve subcommittee leaders in defining task force goals and in developing surveys to identify existing community programs and problems; (4) disseminate survey results and public hearing transcripts to subcommittees before they develop their recommendations; (5) hold periodic steering committee meetings to resolve problems and questions; (6) encourage subcommittee members to actively participate in discussions; (7) keep subcommittee members informed of group progress; and (8) ensure subcommittee members have an opportunity to reach general consensus on final written recommendations. Supplemental information on the task force process evaluation is appended. 4 notes, 9 tables, and 1 figure