NCJ Number
144199
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 231-244
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Recent years have witnessed significant growth in the number of federally funded, multijurisdictional drug task forces, and over 800 such task forces now operating in the United States attempt to build interagency relationships among law enforcement organizations.
Abstract
The Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988 provide discretionary and formula grant funds to localities and States to expand drug law enforcement efforts. Most of these funds have been spent on the creation of multijurisdictional drug task forces. Two drug task forces in Indiana are evaluated, the South Central Task Force covering a six-county region and the North Central Task Force operating in a three-county area. Goals of both task forces are to penetrate drug organizations and networks and to apprehend and prosecute drug dealers. Evaluation findings suggest that while the task forces may lead to improved communication and coordination among law enforcement agencies, the task force's organizational structure is a key element in implementation. Specifically, task force structures that promote the participation of key actors and the perception of mutual benefit lead to more effective interagency relationships and more effective implementation. 23 references, 7 notes, 7 tables, and 1 figure