NCJ Number
111079
Date Published
1987
Length
84 pages
Annotation
After assessing the nature and extent of Texas' drug problem as well as current drug control efforts, this report of the Governor's Task Force on Drug Abuse recommends a strategy for addressing the drug abuse problem and coordinating drug control efforts.
Abstract
Recommendations are based on data obtained from appropriate agencies and from information received in three public hearings. An assessment of current drug control efforts reveals that Texas law enforcement personnel have a mammoth task in narcotics control over 262,017 square miles of land, 1,248 miles of international border, and 624 miles of coastline. The proliferation of illegal narcotics in Texas communities is approaching epidemic proportions, and the need for a proactive effort is paramount. Current drug control is accomplished through the efforts of State, local, and Federal law enforcement agencies. Efforts have been constrained, however, by budgetary shortfalls. The recommended drug control strategy would upgrade the current thrust of enforcement, treatment, and education by the provision of additional resources of personnel and equipment. Under the proposed strategy, priority is given to geographically coordinated multiagency and multijurisdictional task force enforcement efforts, the use of drug impact courts and specialized drug prosecutors, the use of asset forfeiture teams, upgrades in equipment and personnel for crime labs, and the expansion of drug abuse treatment programs. Data tables on drug seizures and enforcement.