STATEMENT OF ALEXANDER H WILLIAMS, III, BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, JUSTICE COMMERCE AND THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS CONCERNING GAO REPORT ON FEDERAL DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS

• NCJ Number: 64589
• Author(s): A H WILLIAMS
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TESTIMONY WAS PRESENTED BY A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) OFFICIAL BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE IN NOVEMBER 1979 CONCERNING THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) REPORT ON FEDERAL DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS.

Abstract

REPRESENTING THE CRIMINAL DIVISION OF THE DOJ'S NARCOTIC AND DANGEROUS DRUG SECTION, MR. WILLIAMS MAINTAINS THAT THE GAO OVERLOOKS GROWING STRUCTURES AND TRENDS IN THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY, AT LARGE, AND IN THE NARCOTICS PROSECUTION COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR, TO CONTROL DRUGS. THE STRATEGY COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSE WITHIN THE DOJ IS CHARGED BY STATUTE WITH PREPARING THE FEDERAL STRATEGY TO CONTROL DRUG AVAILABILITY AND USE. CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE DOJ WITH RESPECT TO DRUG ABUSE PRIMARILY INCLUDE OPERATIONS OF THE CRIMINAL DIVISION, U.S. ATTORNEYS, THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI). THE GOAL OF THE NARCOTIC AND DANGEROUS DRUG SECTION IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF FEDERAL NARCOTICS PROSECUTIONS. IN RESPONSE TO GAO'S CRITICISM ABOUT MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKER PROSECUTION UNITS, MR. WILLIAMS STATES THAT THE NAME GIVEN TO UNITS AND THEIR STAFFING ARE NOT CRITICAL; EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON WHETHER THE U.S. ATTORNEY USES A UNIT TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A SOPHISTICATED AND SUCCESSFUL NARCOTICS PROSECUTION PROGRAM IN HIS OR HER DISTRICT. VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE GAO REPORT DISCUSS THE PERCEIVED FAILURE TO BRING RESOURCES OF THE CUSTOMS SERVICE, THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, AND THE FBI TO BEAR AGAINST NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS. MR. WILLIAMS REPORTS SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS BY THE DOJ TOWARD THIS GOAL. HE CONCURS WITH THE GAO RECOMMENDATION OF CAREFUL ASSESSMENT REGARDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH TAX DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS MIGHT ADVERSELY IMPACT NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS. THE NEED FOR INTERAGENCY COOPERATION IN DEALING WITH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN DRUG TRAFFIC IS ACKNOWLEDGED, AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACTION CONCERNING BAIL AND SENTENCING IN NARCOTICS CASES. THE PROSECUTOR IS VIEWED AS A CRITICAL ELEMENT IN SUCCESSFUL DRUG INVESTIGATION CASES. (DEP)