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I. Drug-Control Strategy: An Overview
Mandate for a National Drug Control Strategy
The ways in which the federal government responds to drug abuse and trafficking are outlined in the following laws and executive orders:
- The Controlled Substances Act, Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 provided an effective approach to the regulation, manufacture, and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the production of controlled substances.
- Executive Order No. 12564 (1986) made refraining from drug use a condition of employment for all federal employees. This order required every federal agency to develop a comprehensive drug-free workplace program.
- The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 established as a policy goal the creation of a drug-free America. A key provision of that Act was the establishment of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to set priorities, implement a national strategy, and certify federal drug-control budgets. The law specifies that the strategy must be comprehensive and research-based, contain long-range goals and measurable objectives, and seek to reduce drug abuse, trafficking, and their consequences. Specifically, drug abuse is to be curbed by preventing youth from using illegal drugs, reducing the number of users, and decreasing drug availability.
- The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 extended ONDCP's mission to assessing budgets and resources related to the National Drug Control Strategy. It also established specific reporting requirements in the areas of drug use, availability, consequences, and treatment.
- Executive Order No. 12880 (1993) and Executive Orders Nos. 12992 and 13023 (1996) assigned ONDCP responsibility within the executive branch for leading drug-control policy and developing an outcome-measurement system. The executive orders also chartered the President's Drug Policy Council and established the ONDCP Director as the President's chief spokesman for drug control.
- The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 expanded ONDCP's mandate and authorities and set forth additional reporting requirements and expectations, including:
- Development of a long-term national drug strategy.
- Implementation of a robust performance-measurement system.
- Commitment to a five-year national drug-control program budget.
- Permanent authority granted to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, along with improvements in HIDTA management.
- Greater demand-reduction responsibilities given to the Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC).
- Statutory authority for the President's Council on Counter-Narcotics.
- Increased reporting to Congress on drug-control activities.
- Reorganization of ONDCP to allow more effective national leadership.
- Improved coordination among National Drug Control Program agencies.
- Establishment of a Parents Advisory Council on Drug Abuse.
It was the sense of the Congress in this Act that substantial progress could be made toward achieving specific reductions in drug supply and demand by the year 2003 as well as during the intervening years.* This Strategy sets in motion policies and programs designed to make progress toward these targets. It contains careful analysis of what is achievable by when. It also presents a detailed performance measurement system that links goals, objectives, and mid- and long-term targets. As we succeed in reaching our targets, we will continue to achieve even further reductions insofar as resources and other developments allow.
* These exact targets are listed in Chapter III of this Strategy.
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