There has been little or no continuity in either programs or in program leadership. With each succeeding reorganization, new leadership was often selected to develop drug control policy or to direct the activities of agencies having drug control missions. Frequently, these interim leaders had no historical understanding of the nation's drug abuse problem or of prior Federal efforts to deal with the problem. A cohesive, coordinated, and properly funded national drug control strategy is needed. The steps that need to be taken include the passage of a drug mandate, authorization of lead agency responsibility, review of all existing programs, initiation of a sound intelligence program, definition of a national strategy, and selection of the right people to lead agencies.