(Budget Authority in Millions)
Drug Resources by Goal	1996 Actual	1997 Enacted	1998 Request
Goal 5	$4.712	$4.712	$4.709
Total	$4.712	$4.712	$4.709
Drug Resources by Function
Research and Development	$4.712	$4.712	$4.709
Total	$4.712	$4.712	$4.709
Drug Resources by Decision Unit
Crop Eradication Research: Chemical and Biocontrol	$2.581	$2.581	$2.578
Alternatives and Narcotic Crop Substitutes	0.713	0.713	0.713
Estimate and Detect Illicit Narcotic Crop Production Worldwide	0.745	0.745	0.745
Support Law Enforcement Agencies Through Programs Oriented Towards Narcotic Plant Identification and Chemistry	0.673	0.673	0.673
Total	$4.712	$4.712	$4.709
Drug Resources Personnel Summary
Total FTEs (direct only)	11	11	11
Information
Total Agency Budget	$709.7	$716.8	$726.8
Drug Percentage	0.7%	0.7%	0.6%
(Detail may not add to totals due to rounding.)

II. METHODOLOGY 

• ARS maintains an automated system for tracking full-time equivalent positions (FTE), and the costs and resources assigned to each identifiable research program. The Research Management Information System (RMIS) is this agency's basic management database. This system is used to develop and track resource estimates for all ARS projects. 

• The ARS has been involved in narcotics-related research since 1972, when requested by the White House Drug Policy Coordinator and the Department of State to evaluate eradication options for illicit cultivation overseas, in cooperation with the United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs (UNDND).



• The ARS research program supports the President's National Drug Control Strategy by providing science support to other Federal agencies in the areas of illicit crop eradication, intelligence (drug crop estimates and identification) and alternative crop programs in producer countries. Coordination is conducted through various mechanisms with both Federal and international organizations.



• Activities focus on: 



• Eradication research through a program of chemical, biological, and mechanical agents. 



• Research and development of alternative crops in producing (narcotic) countries.



• Research into models and estimates of illicit crops overseas to support intelligence community.



• Narcotics crop plant identification and chemistry.

• The FY 1997 base program includes $4.712 million for reducing foreign and domestic sources of drug supply which supports Goal 5 of the National Drug Control Strategy. This includes $2.581 million for crop eradication research (chemical and biocontrol); $0.713 million to reduce economic dependence upon illicit narcotic crops by identifying alternative crop substitutes in the Western Hemisphere; $0.745 million to estimate and determine illicit narcotic crop production worldwide; and $0.673 million to support law enforcement agencies through programs oriented towards narcotic plant identification and chemistry. 

• The total FY 1998 drug control budget request is $4.709 million, approximately the same as the FY 1997 enacted level of $4.712 million.

• The FY 1998 request of $4.709 million provides essentially the same program level as FY 1997. These resources will fund eradication research; research and development of alternative crops; research in estimates of illicit crop cultivation overseas; and narcotic plant identification and chemistry.

• Program statistics are not available.

• Crop Eradication Research. ARS has successfully identified six pathogens with selected control potential. Research has been undertaken to determine which herbicides can be made effective on coca. Long-term research on the biosynthetic mechanism of herbicide has been undertaken.



• Reduce Economic Dependence Upon Illicit Narcotic Crops By Identifying Alternatives and Narcotic Crop Substitutes in the Western Hemisphere. The ARS program seeks to rehabilitate existing industries by restoring the cocoa and coffee cultivation to economic levels for small farmers. Programs focus on rehabilitation of the cocoa industry in Peru and reducing coffee losses from pest.



• Estimate and Detect Illicit Narcotic Crop Production Worldwide. The USDA/ARS program supports the intelligence law enforcement and foreign affairs communities by developing accurate production models.



• Support Law Enforcement Agencies through Program Oriented Towards Narcotic Plant Identification and Chemistry. ARS maintains an ability to provide basic research in the following areas: narcotic plant taxonomy; DNA finger printing; plant genetics; plant alkaloid chemistry; biochemistry and molecular chemistry.