The National Drug Control Strategy, Budget, and Compliance: Priorities and Accountability at ONDCP

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) purpose is to establish priorities, objectives, and policies for the nation’s drug control program. ONDCP funds both supply-side government programs, such as source-country eradication and interdiction, and demand-side initiatives, such as drug use prevention and treatment. In recent years, ONDCP has expanded the proportion of the National Drug Control budget that is expended on supply-side programs more rapidly than demand-side programs. This balance has been criticized by those who cite social scientific research demonstrating that, per dollar spent, demand-side initiatives, especially drug treatment, are more effective at combating drug abuse.

The hearing will examine: (1) the priorities of the 2008 National Drug Control Strategy; (2) the priorities of the Fiscal Year 2009 National Drug Control Budget; and (3) ONDCP’s compliance with the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006.

Witnesses for the hearing include:
Panel I
•Mr. John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Panel II
•John Carnevale, Ph.D., President, Carnevale Associates, LLC
•Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Ph.D, Co-Director, RAND Drug Policy Research Center