DRCNet Response to the Drug Enforcement Administration
Briefing Book
DRCNet Response to the
Drug Enforcement Administration
Briefing Book
| DEA Statement | Response |
| The DEA State and Local Task Force Program was established in 1970 under DEA's predecessor agency, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Although the program was originally viewed as State and local assistance, the task forces have become a major resource in drug law enforcement, and the concept has been duplicated in major initiatives at the federal level. | For a good history of how the DEA came into existence, see Agency of Fear. |
| This program is especially important to theDEA because it carries out one of its priority initiatives; addressing the problem of drug-related violent crime. Through the State and Local Task Force Program, DEA is involved in investigations that have direct links to the community. For example, local investigators will know their communities, the local drug dealers and their methods. This program allows DEA to share information and coordinate activities with the state and local law enforcement organizations. | The DEA again fails to note that drug-related violent crime comes from two
primary sources: 1) alcohol 2) the high profits associated with drug prohibition. See Psychoactive Substances and Violence,by the US Department of Justice. |
| The program has a multiplier effect as federal, state and local agencies combine expertise and resources. Another benefit is that state and local law enforcement agencies can receive assets forfeited as a result of cases made against drug dealers. | One of the reasons that narcotics agents like this program is because it increases their forfeitures - see Forfeiture Endangers American Rights. |
| The DEA State & Local Task Force Program now consists of 134 state and local task forces, of which 96 are formal and 38 provisional. These task forces are currently staffed by 668 DEA Special Agents and 1,769 state and local police officers. |
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