NCJ Number
89086
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1983) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Federal Government has sought to counter drug trafficking by interdicting illegal drugs close to their source, stopping drug smuggling at U.S. borders, coordinating drug law enforcement efforts, and assisting community drug information campaigns designed to reduce demand for drugs.
Abstract
The United States supports a program of bilateral and multilateral assistance for crop control, interdiction, and demand reduction programs, and the Reagan Administration is encouraging other governments to participate in these international control efforts. The United States is insisting that drug-related development assistance agreements are conditioned upon concurrent agreements and evidence of the host government's commitment to reduce illicit drug production. The source control philosophy has also been applied both internationally and nationally to stop the diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals into the illicit market. A high priority is given to cooperative efforts to prevent illicit drugs from being produced in the United States, providing technical assistance, training, and equipment through the Drug Enforcement Administration. Appropriate Federal agencies are involved in the destruction of cannabis on public lands. Border action against drug trafficking includes the use of available military resources, including enhanced intelligence and military support, to detect and interdict illicit drugs before they are smuggled into the country. Law enforcement efforts have been coordinated through the consolidation of FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration efforts and the establishment of 12 drug enforcement task forces throughout the country to combat drug trafficking or organized crime. The Attorney General has established Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees in each of the judicial districts to focus available resources on the most serious crime problems in each district. The Federal Government has supported local drug education efforts by providing accurate information about drugs and how to recognize and deal with drug abuse in homes, schools, and communities.