NCJ Number
234898
Date Published
June 2011
Length
106 pages
Annotation
As a result of the changing situation on the Southwest Border of the United States, the 2011 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy has expanded its focus beyond stemming the flow of illegal drugs, weapons, and bulk currency between the United States and Mexico to include a "Strong Communities" feature that directs Federal agencies to provide border communities with enhanced prevention and drug treatment assistance in a region that has inordinately suffered the consequences of the drug trade.
Abstract
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working to improve the coordination of its intra-departmental efforts, and the Obama administration is monitoring the situation on the border in order to assess how additional law enforcement and border security resources are disrupting illicit activities. These efforts are supported by the United States' continuing partnership with Mexico through the Merida Initiative, a multi-year program led by the Department of State, which provides Mexico approximately $1.4 billion in order to assist in addressing the threat posed to both nations by transnational criminal organizations. The strategic goal of the 2011 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy is to substantially reduce the flow of illicit drugs, drug proceeds, and associated instruments of violence across the Southwest border. There are 10 strategic objectives intended to achieve this goal. Each of the Strategy's 10 chapters addresses details of one of the strategic objectives, along with supporting actions. The chapter on "Strong Communities" focuses on the mobilization of border communities to identify, plan, direct resources, and undertake effective action for health promotion and health-enhancing social change. Various Federal, State, local, and tribal programs are underway to achieve this objective. Appended information on the tunnel strategy, resources, and common abbreviations