NCJ Number
82057
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
In a 1980 statement before the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee, an official of the General Accounting Office (GAO) discusses consumer demand for illicit drugs, international narcotics controls, and illicit dispensing of licit drugs, along with suggested improvements in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) programs.
Abstract
GAO reviews show that programs to reduce the impact of illegal drugs require constant monitoring because source countries move quickly to fill temporary drug shortages, trafficking patterns shift, and the types of drugs consumed readily change. Consumer demand for drugs has not abated, and the enormous profits of drug trafficking attract many entrepreneurs from all walks of life. The DEA should improve its investigative capabilities against drug traffickers' financial resources, since imprisoning major traffickers often fails to affect their organization's finances and distribution networks. The U.S. Attorney General should establish a clear policy of what can be expected from State and local governments in drug law enforcement and what action the Federal Government will undertake to elicit their support. International efforts to reduce the illicit drug supply have produced temporary results, but most countries have been unwilling to spend the time and money on ventures such as eradication and crop substitution which are critical to long-term control. Diversion of legal drugs such as barbiturates and amphetamines for nonmedical purposes is a serious problem which has received little attention. Most domestic diversion occurs at the retail level where the DEA has limited authority and States are responsible for law enforcement. However, States generally are incapable of dealing with suppliers of legal drugs because of inadequate laws, organization, and resources, and the GAO suggests that DEA be given increased authority in this area.