Multi-jurisdictional Drug Control Task Forces 1988: Critical Components of State Drug Control Strategies

• NCJ Number: 124320
• Author(s): J R Coldren Jr; K R Coyle; S D Carr
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 79 pages
• Contract Number(s): 87-DD-CX-K049
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: Justice Research and Statistics Association
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Special analysis report of the Consortium for Drug Strategy Impact Assessment

Annotation

Information on multi-jurisdictional drug control task forces in 15 States forms the basis of this analysis of the task forces' goals, size, composition, geographic coverage, arrests, convictions, and asset seizures and forfeitures.

Abstract

These task forces received formula grant funds for drug enforcement programs under the Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988. Data came from Arizona, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Findings showed that the main goal of most task forces is to investigate, arrest, and prosecute street-level and upper-level drug law violators. The task forces were mainly local operations, usually managed and staffed by local law enforcement officials. Eighty-nine percent were responsible for areas of one to six counties. The task forces reported 12,849 drug arrests in 1988, mostly for offenses involving cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. In addition, 4,362 asset seizures amounted to more than $21 million. Tables, figures, footnotes, and appended background information, additional tables, and 6 references.