The official noted that the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 has had a significant impact on the U.S. role in supplying listed chemicals to cocaine-producing areas of South America. Most cocaine seized in the United States has been processed in Colombia and the shipment of chemicals to Colombia for use in cocaine processing has been a special focus of U.S. regulatory efforts. From 1988 to 1989, the amount of chemicals imported by Colombia from all sources more than doubled, while U.S. exports of chemicals to Colombia decreased during the same period from 7,933 to 6,912 metric tons. Because legal impediments to European exports of chemicals to Colombia do not exist, the United States has undertaken several diplomatic initiatives with key European countries, including Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, to urge stricter control of chemical exports to Latin America. Bilateral agreements have also been signed with Peru, Bolivia, and Panama to share data and investigation resources related to the export of chemicals used in cocaine processing. The heroin problem and the extent of clandestine drug laboratories in the United States are discussed.