NCJ Number
61992
Date Published
1979
Length
232 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT TO THE U.S. CONGRESS BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL DISCUSSES THE FIGHT BY FEDERAL AGENCIES AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING.
Abstract
FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE BY IMMOBILIZING TRAFFIC NETWORKS AND GAINING SOURCE COUNTRIES' COOPERATION IN CONTROLLING SUPPLIES. THE REDUCTION OF TURKISH HEROIN CROPS AND MEXICAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE U.S. HEROIN MARKET HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL MEASURES, ALONG WITH BETTER U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS OF CONSPIRACIES. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A HEROIN SHORTAGE IN THE U.S., NEW PRODUCERS AND SUPPLIERS READILY TAKE OVER IN THE HIGHLY LUCRATIVE ILLICIT DRUG MARKET, WHICH COMMANDS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR. MILLIONS HAVE TRIED STIMULANTS, HEROIN AND COCAINE, WHILE THE MARIHUANA MARKET ALONE MAY BRING $13-21 BILLION A YEAR. MOST PRODUCING NATIONS ARE POOR AND HAVE LONG TRADITIONS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND DRUG SMUGGLING, PRESENTING PROBLEMS TOO COMPLEX FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO HANDLE OFFICIALS. MOREOVER, DEVELOPED NATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO GIVE POOR COUNTRIES THE FUNDS THEY NEED TO SWITCH CROPS. THE U.S. NEEDS MUCH TOUGHER, MORE CONSISTENT ACTION BY ALL AREAS OF GOVERNMENT TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE AVAILABILITY OF ILLICIT DRUGS. PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE SOLVED INCLUDE ORGANIZATIONAL DIFFICULTIES AND INCONSISTENT POLICIES AMONG INVOLVED FEDERAL AGENCIES, INADEQUATE SUPPORT FROM PRODUCER GOVERNMENTS, INADEQUATE PUNISHMENTS FOR MAJOR TRAFFICKERS WHICH LEAVE THEIR NETWORKS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES INTACT, INEFFECTIVE BORDER PATROLS AND CUSTOMS CONTROL, AND LACK OF A CENTRAL U.S. STRATEGY. VICTIM COUNTRIES SHOULD COORDINATE THEIR DRUG ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES, AND THE U.S. SHOULD CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ABUSERS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF POLICE AND THE PUBLIC, AND RESEARCH. SOME PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN CORRESPONDENCE ON THE DRUG PROBLEM AND RELATED INFORMATION. (PAP)