The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has designated certain areas in the United States as HIDTAs because of the serious and harmful drug trafficking problems affecting these areas and surrounding communities. HIDTAs are targeted for additional Federal resources to help in the elimination of the production, manufacture, transportation, distribution, and chronic use of illegal drugs and money laundering. A key component of the overall HIDTA strategy is to assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement organizations invest in the infrastructure and joint initiatives necessary to reduce the activities of drug trafficking organizations. Key priorities of the program are: (1) to assess regional drug threats; (2) to design strategies for combating drug trafficking threats; (3) to develop and fund initiatives; (4) to facilitate coordination of Federal, State, and local efforts; and (5) to improve the effectiveness of drug trafficking control initiatives. Twenty-eight areas in the U.S. are currently designated as HIDTAs; these areas comprise roughly 13 percent of United States counties and are in 43 States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Information about each of the 28 HIDTAs is presented in turn, including general program information, mission statement, threat assessment, main strategies and initiatives, participating agencies, and significant achievements. The annual report also presents the 2004 National HIDTA Program Awards. Figures