The 'War' against Substance Abuse: Policy Development and a Plan for Action.
Abstract
The 'war' against substance abuse is a multiagency, multilevel program, with recently heightened visibility and interest, which seeks to stem the supply and consumption of illicit drugs within the United States. The program as it is evolving represents a major commitment whose coherence, relevance, and effectiveness are of great importance to all Americans. This paper reviews the policy and action plan development of the 'war' through examination of the threat to our national and public interests, through consideration of an idealized set of objectives, and through discussion of applicable strategies and concepts of operation. this construct suggests that there is a definable threat to our interests and a straight-forward set of objectives which translates into a plan of action and thence into specific agency responsibilities. Analysis of the construct leads the writer to conclude that available resources ought to be preferentially applied to programs focused on interdiction proximal ot US borders and on reduction of domestic consumption. The placement of overall programmatic responsibility at the Vice Presidential level is strongly recommended. The ultimate success of the 'war' against substance abuse may depend on acceptance of the construct presented and on its implications in terms of command, control and coordination, clarification of agency responsibilities, and allocation of personnel and fiscal resources. Keywords: Drug trafficking; Anti-drug programs; Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182759
Entities
People
- Herbert E. Segal
Organizations
- United States Army War College