Message From the Director:

     This Fiscal Year 1998 Budget Summary is the companion volume to the 1997 National Drug Control Strategy, transmitted to Congress by the President in February 1997. The Budget Summary details the means by which our long-term strategic vision can be implemented, measured, and adapted to secure our goal of reducing drug use and its consequences in America.

     The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has identified and summarized here those activities most critical to our mission of reducing illegal drug use. The Administration's drug control budget continues to support those programs that have been effective and introduces new initiatives to address specific needs in FY 1998.

     The Budget Summary is organized into three major sections. Resources to Implement the Strategy highlights critical drug control programs by Strategy Goal. The Agency Budget Summary section provides an agency-by-agency review of specific drug control programs and a discussion of the FY 1998 drug budget request. Finally, this document includes a Data Appendix which provides valuable information on the availability, prevalence, and consequences of drug use in the United States.

     This volume is intended as a helpful reference work for the Congress, the Federal community, academics, and other groups interested in this field. The Budget Summary is part of ONDCP's continuing efforts to keep policymakers and the public apprised of important Federal drug control initiatives.

Barry R. McCaffrey Director