NCJ Number
126730
Date Published
1987
Length
221 pages
Annotation
The strategy for national and international drug law enforcement proposed by the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board is comprised of five interactive and mutually supportive elements: intelligence, international drug control, interdiction and border control, investigation and prosecution, and diversion and controlled substance analogue regulation.
Abstract
The threat from illicit drugs in the United States stems, to various degrees and from different sources, from cocaine, opiate (primarily heroin), cannabis, and other dangerous drugs. The strategy relating to intelligence support of Federal drug law enforcement efforts begins with accurate threat assessment and centers around coordination of law enforcement and intelligence community activities, development of accurate indicators, and analyses of the structure of trafficking organizations. Diplomatic and programmatic initiatives comprise the strategy on international drug control. The diplomatic strategy includes sharing information with the international community, conveying US policies, and supporting regional and international efforts; the programmatic strategy includes eradication, economic assistance, interdiction, and investigation and prosecution. The primary objective of the interdiction and border control strategy is to reduce the volume of illegal drugs entering the US through detecting, identifying, and intercepting drug shipments. The components of the strategy on investigation and prosecution include multiagency approaches, asset forfeiture, State and local cooperation, selective deployment of Federal resources, efforts directed against domestic illicit drug manufacture, and the use of international extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties. By controlling the diversion of licit drugs and chemicals from legitimate channels, and identifying and scheduling controlled substance analogues, the drug law enforcement strategy aims to rid traffickers of a means of synthesizing a variety of illicit drugs. Drug law enforcement also plays a role in reducing the demand for illicit drugs through deterrence and participation in drug abuse education and prevention projects. A final area of special concern addressed in this strategy involves the nature and extent of the drug problem in Mexico. 3 appendixes (Author abstract modified)