NCJ Number
61568
Date Published
1977
Length
123 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF FEDERAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERAGENCY REVIEW TEAM IN EVALUATING FEDERAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES WERE TO REVIEW THE HISTORY OF FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO ILLICIT DRUG CONTROL; TO IDENTIFY POLICY CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO EFFECTIVE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT; TO REVIEW OPERATING POLICIES, PRIORITIES, PROBLEMS, AND ISSUES WHERE THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY, AND ECONOMY; AND TO OUTLINE POLICY AND ORGANIZATIONAL ALTERNATIVES THAT WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORT. THESE OBJECTIVES WERE ADDRESSED BY EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE DRUG SUPPLY, BORDER DRUG INTERDICTION, DOMESTIC DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT, REGULATION AND COMPLIANCE, AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS SUCH AS INTELLIGENCE AND TRAINING. SEVERAL MAJOR PROBLEMS HAMPERING EFFECTIVE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE INTERAGENCY REVIEW TEAM. THESE INCLUDED INSUFFICIENT JUDICIAL AND PROSECUTORIAL RESOURCES AND PRACTICES, INADEQUATE SUPPORTING LEGISLATION, RELATIVE AMBIGUITY IN THE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS, INADEQUATE COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ILLICIT DRUG SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES, AND INADEQUATE CLARIFICATION OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES AND RESPECTIVE ROLES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. OPTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF CONCERTED DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ARE NOTED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO FACILITATE APPROPRIATE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE OFFERED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON THE FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT, A LIST OF FEDERAL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, AND INFORMATION ON NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY AS PRESENTED BY U.S. ATTORNEYS AND POLICE CHIEFS. (DEP)