Message From the
Director
Today, scientists and engineers from many disciplines are assisting
the Office of National Drug Control Policy in exploiting advances
in science and technology to stem substance abuse and stop the illicit
drug trade. The Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC) technology
development programs support the goals and objectives of the National
Drug Control Strategy. This Blueprint Update provides a periodic
report on progress achieved this year. The technologies are being
developed to advance the capabilities of the medical, academic, scientific
and criminal justice communities as they cooperate to solve the drug
abuse problem.
CTAC, in consultation with the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
is providing the most advanced facilities to the nation's premier
teams of medical researchers working on the underlying causes of drug
dependence. The goal has been accomplished by providing leading medical
research institutions with neuro-imaging facilities, infrastructure,
and technology necessary to support their substance abuse research.
Technologies that meet the needs of police officers, narcotics investigation
units, and prosecuting attorneys are being pursued, too. These technologies
provide improved drug detection, communications, and surveillance
devices and methods to share drug crime investigative information.
After these technologies are proven at the federal level, they are
provided to state and local law enforcement agencies through the continuing
Technology Transfer Program.
Technology plays an important role in safeguarding our borders from
the flow of illicit drugs. To examine shipments as they enter the
country coded aperture and neutron probe technologies are being developed.
These advanced nonintrusive inspection technology concepts will, in
time, replace the X-ray and gamma ray systems now used to search conveyances
and cargo for hidden drugs at ports-of-entry.
Barry R. McCaffrey
Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
