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Drug Control: DEA's Strategies and Operations in the 1990s

NCJ Number
180574
Date Published
1999
Length
172 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the strategies and operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the 1990's addresses the major enforcement strategies, programs, initiatives and approaches the DEA has implemented; whether DEA's operations are consistent with the National Drug Control Strategy; and how DEA determined its fiscal year 1998 staffing needs and allocated the additional staff.
Abstract
The DEA has expanded its domestic enforcement operations to work more with State and local law enforcement agencies and help combat drug-related violent crime in local communities. DEA implemented an investigative approach, both domestically and internationally, focusing on intercepting the communications of major drug trafficking organizations to target the leaders and dismantle their operation. It began participating in two interagency programs to target and investigate major drug trafficking organizations in Latin America and Asia. The DEA changed its foreign operations by screening and training special foreign police units to combat drug trafficking in certain key foreign countries. DEA's strategic goals and objectives, as well as its enhanced programs and initiative in the 1990's have been consistent with the National Drug Control Strategy; however, DEA has not developed measurable performance targets for its programs and initiatives that are consistent with those adopted for the National Strategy. Consequently, it is difficult for the DEA, the Department of Justice, Congress, and the public to assess how effective the DEA has been in achieving its strategic goals and the effect its programs in the 1990's have had on reducing the illegal drug supply. This report offers a recommendation to the Attorney General regarding the development of measurable DEA performance targets for disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. 24 tables, 17 figures, and appended profiles of selected DEA domestic field divisions and foreign offices, as well as comments from the DEA