NCJ Number
103448
Date Published
1986
Length
47 pages
Annotation
The organization, operation, and management of individual task forces under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program were the subject of a review that gathered information via document reviews and interviews with coordinators of 8 of the 13 regional task forces.
Abstract
The program began in 1983. Federal agencies and State and local law enforcement staff take part in coordinated efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute members of high-level drug trafficking enterprises. Task force coordinators generally regard the program as having enhanced law enforcement efforts. The main advantages are the added resources and better interagency coordination and cooperation. However, the task forces are in fact affiliations of independent agencies rather than task forces. Thus, disagreements exist regarding roles and responsibilities. In addition, lack of centralized authority at the national level complicates decisionmaking regarding resource allocation. The working group that sets policy and monitors the program does not gather data necessary to make resource allocation decisions. The program's impact is difficult to assess. It has resulted in 2,453 convictions as well as fines and forfeitures of more than $440 million. The program is just one part of the efforts to eliminate drug abuse. A mechanism for evaluating the use of resources is needed. Data tables, appended figures, map, and agency comments.