| 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. |
|
DRCNet Response to the 
