Testimony of Jeffrey Harris Before the House Subcommittee on Crime Concerning the Administration's Establishment of Drug Enforcement Task Force on February 24, 1983

• NCJ Number: 88207
• Author(s): J Harris
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Drug enforcement task forces have been established in 12 areas in the Nation; $127.5 million has been appropriated for this effort for the rest of the 1982 fiscal year.

Abstract

The combination of drug trafficking and organized crime represents the most serious crime problem facing the United States today. Some studies have indicated that 50 to 60 percent of all property crimes are drug related. Violence has become a way of life for criminal organizations dealing in drugs, and public officials at all levels are being corrupted by drug money. The Department of Justice has reorganized the Drug Enforcement Administration and, for the first time, has brought the FBI into the effort. By January 1983, the FBI had 1,ll5 drug investigations underway, as compared with only 100 in January 1982. Additionally, the Department successfully sought congressional enactment of an amendment to the posse comitatus law, so that military assistance such as tracking capabilities and intelligence resources can be used. On October 14, 1982, a comprehensive eight-point program to combat drug trafficking was announced by the Attorney General. The task force effort will be closely monitored, structured by the guidelines established by the Attorney General.