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DEA
Congressional Testimony
Statement
by:
Richard A.
Fiano
Chief of Operations
Drug Enforcement Administration
Before
the:
Caucus on
International Narcotics Control
Date:
July 25,
2000
Note: This document
may not reflect changes made in actual delivery.
Senator Grassley,
distinguished members of the Caucus: I am pleased to have the opportunity
to appear before you today to discuss the growing dangers and concerns
over the club drug known as "Ecstasy." I would first like to thank the
Caucus for its continued support of the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and overall support of drug law enforcement.
As you are well aware,
the alarming spread of illegal drug abuse by our youth is having a profound
effect in communities throughout the United States. It is fair to say
that the increasing use of synthetic or club drugs such as MDMA (Ecstasy),
GHB, Ketamine, and LSD by our youth is quickly becoming one of the most
significant law enforcement and social issues facing our nation today.
DEA reporting indicates widespread abuse within virtually every major
U.S. city with indications of trafficking and abuse expanding to smaller
cities such as Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Beaumont, Texas; Nashville and
Memphis, Tennessee; Savannah and Florence, Georgia; Fayetteville, Arkansas;
and Montgomery, Alabama. Recent seizure statistics clearly illustrate
this prolific growth. According to the Federal Drug Identification Network
(FDIN) database, in 1998, 276,904 tablets and 118,016 grams of powder
MDMA were seized (equivalent to 944,128 tablets @ 0.125g/tab) which totaled
1,221,032 tablets. Then, in 1999, 2,847,719 tablets along with 1,162,075
grams of powder were seized totaling 12,144,319 tablets. This translates
into a ten-fold increase in the number of MDMA seizures in a one-year
period. Furthermore, some abusers, primarily in the Miami and Orlando
areas, are combining MDMA with heroin, a combination known as "space."
Perhaps most frightening is the decreased perception of risk that young
teens have regarding the use of these drugs.
MDMA can produce
stimulant effects such as an enhanced sense of pleasure, self-confidence
and increased energy. Its hallucinogenic effects include feelings of peacefulness,
acceptance, and empathy. Users claim they experience feelings of closeness
with others and a desire to touch them. As such, because of the feelings
attained by the MDMA user, there exists a misconception that these drugs
are relatively safe. However, various researchers have shown that use
of club drugs can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, even
death. Used in combination with alcohol, some of these club drugs can
be even more dangerous. Furthermore, MDMA's long-term psychological effects
can include confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoia.
Between 1998 and 1999, past year use of ecstasy rose by a third among
10th graders, and by 56 percent among 12th graders.
The greatest number of MDMA users fell into the 18-25 year old category
with slightly greater than 1.4 million people reporting its use.
MDMA: The
Drug:
Primarily illicitly
manufactured in and trafficked from Europe, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
(MDMA), a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), is
the most popular of the club drugs. Its origins can be traced to Germany
in 1912 where it was patented but never studied or marketed for human
consumption. In the 1970's and early 1980's some health care professionals
experimented with the drug in "introspective therapy" sessions, outside
of FDA-approved research. DEA reporting indicates widespread abuse of
this drug within virtually every city in the United States. Although it
is primarily abused in urban settings, abuse of this substance also has
been reported in rural communities. Prices in the United States generally
range from $25 to $40 per dosage unit, although prices as high as $50
per dosage unit have been reported in Miami.
In addition to chemical
stimulation, the drug reportedly suppresses the need to eat, drink, or
sleep. This enables club scene users to endure all-night and sometimes
2-3 day parties. MDMA is taken orally, usually in tablet form, and its
effects last approximately 4-6 hours. Taken at raves, the drug may lead
to severe dehydration and heat stroke, since it has the effect of "short-circuiting"
the body's temperature signals to the brain. An MDMA overdose is characterized
by rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, faintness, muscle cramping, panic
attacks, and in more severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures.
One of the side effects of the drug is jaw muscle tension and teeth grinding.
As a consequence, MDMA users will often use pacifiers to help relieve
the tension. The most critical, life-threatening response to MDMA is hyperthermia
or excessive body heat. Recent reports of MDMA-related deaths were associated
with core body temperatures ranging from 107 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many rave clubs now have cooling centers or cold showers designed to allow
participants to lower their body temperatures.
The long-term effects
of MDMA are still under evaluation; however, research by the National
Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1998, directly measured
the effects of the drug on the human brain. The study revealed that the
drug causes damage to the neurons (nerve cells) that utilize serotonin
to communicate with other neurons in the brain, and that recreational
MDMA users risk permanent brain damage that may manifest itself in depression,
anxiety, memory loss, learning difficulties, and other neuropsychiatric
disorders.
MDMA: The
Emergence of New Drug Trafficking Organizations:
The ecstasy drug
market in the United States is supplied and controlled by Western European-based
drug traffickers. In recent years, Israeli Organized Crime syndicates,
some composed of Russian émigrés associated with Russian
Organized Crime syndicates, have forged relationships with the Western
European traffickers and gained control over a significant share of the
European market. Moreover, the Israeli syndicates remain the primary source
to the U.S. distribution groups. The increasing involvement of organized
crime syndicates signifies the "professionalization" of the MDMA market.
These organizations are capable of producing and smuggling significant
quantities of MDMA from source countries in Europe to the United States
and are expanding their operations from coast to coast. In addition, recent
DEA reporting reveals limited involvement of Mexican, Colombian and Dominican
drug trafficking organizations in the Ecstasy trade.
Typically, these
MDMA trafficking organizations are well organized, well educated, multi-lingual,
and capable of producing and smuggling significant quantities of MDMA
from Europe to the United States. In 1999, more than two million pills
were seized in New York alone. The U.S. Customs Service estimates that
since October 1999, nearly seven million pills have been seized at various
ports throughout the United States. Perhapsthe most alarming assessment
comes from German police officials who suspect that more than two million
pills are smuggled into the United States each week from various cities
throughout Europe. In Belgium alone, DEA reports that since March 2000,
approximately 675,000 ecstasy tablets were seized, the vast majority destined
for the United States. This figure eclipses the total number of tablets
seized for all Fiscal Year 1999 in Belgium.
MDMA is clandestinely
manufactured in Western Europe, primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It is estimated that 90% of MDMA distributed worldwide is produced in
these countries. MDMA production is a relatively sophisticated chemical
process making it difficult for inexperienced individuals to produce MDMA
successfully. However, there are several manufacturing processes for MDMA
and a multitude of "recipes" that are posted on the Internet. Most of
the MDMA laboratories are capable of producing 20-30 kilograms on a daily
basis, although law enforcement authorities have seized some labs with
the capability of producing 100 kilograms per day.
Normally, the MDMA
is manufactured by Dutch chemists and transported and distributed by various
factions of Israeli Organized Crime groups. These groups recruit and utilize
Americans, Israeli, and western European nationals as couriers. These
couriers can smuggle anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 tablets (2.5-5 kilograms)
on their person and up to 50,000 tablets (10 kilograms) in specially designed
luggage. In addition to the use of couriers, these organizations use the
parcel mail, DHL, UPS, and U.S. Postal Service. Due to the size of the
MDMA tablet, concealment is much easier than other traditional drugs smuggled
in kilogram-size packages (cocaine, heroin, and marijuana).
What brings these
Drug Trafficking Organizations together is the enormous profit realized
in these ventures along with the fact that MDMA is typically not produced
in the United States. Although estimates vary, the cost of producing an
MDMA tablet can run between $.50 - $1.00. The wholesale, or first level
price for MDMA tablets have ranged from $1.00-$2.00 per tablet, contingent
on the volume purchased. This four-fold profit provides huge incentives
for the laboratory owner or chemist. Furthermore, manufacturing laboratories
can realize these profits without coming into contact with anyone except
the first level transportation or distribution representatives. Once the
MDMA reaches the United States, a domestic cell distributor will charge
$6-$8 per tablet. The retailer then turns around and distributes it for
$25-$40 per pill to the consumer.
Overview
of "Club" Drugs: An Emerging Epidemic:
The use of synthetic
drugs has become popular at clubs and "raves." These rave functions, which
are parties known for loud techno-music and dancing at underground locations,
regularly host several thousand teenagers and young adults who use MDMA,
LSD and GHB, alone, or in various combinations. Users of drugs such as
MDMA report that the effects of the drug heighten the user's perceptions,
especially the visual stimulation. Quite often, users of MDMA at clubs
will dance with light sticks to increase their visual stimulation. Legal
substances such as Vicks VapoRub are often used to enhance the effects
of the drug.
"Club" drugs have
become such an integral part of the rave circuit that there no longer
appears to be an attempt to conceal their use. Rather, drugs are sold
and used openly at these parties. Traditional and non-traditional sources
continue to report the flagrant and open drug use at "raves." Intelligence
indicates that it has also become commonplace for security at these parties
to ignore drug use and sales on the premises. Tragically, as previously
stated, many teens do not perceive these drugs as harmful or dangerous.
The following is a brief summary of other selected club drugs.
Gamma HydroxyButyrate
(GHB) is easily accessible at rave parties and is currently popular among
teenagers and young adults alike. Commonly referred to as a date rape-drug,
GHB was originally used as a substitute anabolic steroid for strength
training. GHB has been used in the commission of sexual assaults because
it renders the victim incapable of resisting, and may cause memory problems.
GHB costs approximately $10-$20 per dose and is frequently mixed with
alcohol. As of January 2000, DEA documented 60 GHB-related deaths. The
drug is used predominantly by adolescents and young adults, often when
they attend nightclubs and raves. GHB is often manufactured in homes with
recipes and ingredients found and purchased on the Internet. As a result
of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Prohibition Act of
2000, GHB was designated a Schedule I drug under the CSA.
Gamma Butyrolactone
(GBL), a List I chemical, is a precursor chemical for the manufacture
of GHB. Several Internet sites offer kits that contain GBL, sodium hydroxide
or potassium hydroxide and directions for the manufacture of GHB. This
process is relatively simple and does not require complex laboratory equipment.
Upon ingestion, GBL is synthesized by the body to produce GHB. As a consequence,
some partygoers drink small quantities of GBL straight. These chemicals
increase the effects of alcohol, and can cause respiratory distress, seizures,
coma, and death.
d-lysergic acid diethylamide
(LSD), listed as a Schedule I drug under the CSA, first emerged as a popular
drug of the psychedelic generation in the 1960's. Its popularity appeared
to decline in the late 1970's, an effect attributed to a broader awareness
of its hazardous effects. Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence
of LSD abuse, especially among young adults. Typically, LSD users experience
panic, confusion, suspicion and anxiety. Liquid LSD has been seized in
Visine bottles at rave functions. LSD is also sold at raves on very small
perforated paper squares that are either blank or have a cartoon-figure
design. Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop using it over time,
since it does not produce the same compulsive, drug-induced behavior of
cocaine and heroin.
As of August 1999,
Ketamine, also known as "Special K," was placed in Schedule III of the
Controlled Substance Act. Used primarily by veterinarians as an anesthetic,
Ketamine produces hallucinogenic effects similar to PCP with the visual
effects of LSD. Ketamine is diverted in liquid form, dried and distributed
as a powder. Prices average $20 per dosage unit. Ketamine is snorted in
the same manner as cocaine at 5-10 minute intervals until the desired
effect is obtained.
Legislative
History:
Ecstasy, as well
as all other club drugs, has been scheduled under the Controlled Substances
Act (CSA), Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
Act of 1970. Recently, due to the exponential growth and abuse of Ecstasy
and its devastating and potentially lethal effects, Senate bill S. 2612,
was introduced by Senator Bob Graham and co-sponsored by Senator Charles
Grassed. This bill calls for the United States Sentencing Commission to
amend the federal sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties
associated with the manufacture, distribution, and use of Ecstasy. Those
penalties would be comparable to the base offense levels for offenses
involving any methamphetamine mixture. The bill would also assure that
the guidelines provide that offenses involving a significant quantity
of Schedule I and II depressants, including GHB and its analogues, are
subject to greater terms of imprisonment than currently in place. Furthermore,
the bill calls for greater emphasis to be placed on the education of young
adults, the education and training of state and local law enforcement
officials and adequate funding for research by the National Institute
on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
In addition to S.
2612, a companion bill has been introduced in the House by Congresswoman
Judy Biggert. H.R. 4553 is almost identical to S. 2612, except it encompasses
all "club drugs," to include paramethoxyamphetamine, commonly referred
to as "PMA." In recent months, it is believed that "PMA," an Ecstasy analogue
controlled by DEA since 1973, may be responsible for the death of three
young people in suburban Chicago. The three victims, an 18-year old female
and two males, 17 and 20 years of age, are said to have frequented the
same nightclub. These deaths are being investigated by local authorities.
At this time it appears that the drug users thought they were taking MDMA,
but ingested PMA instead.
Another bill relating
to club drug abuse, the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape
Prevention Drug Act of l999, (Public Law l06-172), was signed by the President
on February 18, 2000. This legislation directed DEA to place GHB (gamma
hydroxybutyric acid) in Schedule I. Furthermore, Public Law l06-172 contains
a statutory obligation that requires DEA to establish a special unit to
assess the abuse of and trafficking in GHB, flunitrazepem, ketamine, and
other controlled substances (club or designer drugs) whose use has been
associated with sexual assaults. In addition, the Attorney General was
directed to develop a protocol for the collection of evidence, the taking
of victim statements in connection with violation of the CSA - which results
or contributes to sexual assault, crimes of violence or other crimes involving
the abuse of GHB and the other designer drugs. In addition, DEA and the
FBI are obligated to develop model training materials for law enforcement
personnel involved in such investigations, and make such protocols and
training materials available to Federal, state, and local personnel responsible
for such investigations.
Enforcement
Initiatives:
Operation
"Flashback":
In an effort to target
organizations and individuals that distribute and manufacture "club drugs,"
DEA established Operation "Flashback" in July 1997. On July 2, 1998, MDMA
was approved for inclusion under this Special Enforcement Program. Since
February 1998, active investigations have increased from 6 to 140, indicative
of the increasing demand and availability of club drugs. Operation "Flashback"
seeks to achieve the following five primary objectives:
- Develop prosecutable
cases against individuals and organizations that manufacture and distribute
so-called club drugs.
- Develop intelligence
links between domestic wholesale distributors and the foreign source
of supply.
- Identify, arrest,
and prosecute violators at a high level of distribution, including the
clandestine lab operators.
- Establish and
coordinate an overall strategy for all domestic and foreign investigative
efforts.
- Identify the
command and control infrastructures of organizations that are distributing
so-called club drugs.
Furthermore, this
Special Enforcement Program provides a mechanism to enforcement components
in the field to fund undercover buys, confidential source payments, installation
of pen registers and activation of Title III wiretaps. In addition, it
acts as a central repository for any and all information related to club
drugs. This database contains information on targets, organizations, arrests,
seizures, modes of smuggling, types of drugs and the logos/brand names
they bear.
At present, DEA has
several ongoing investigations into these trafficking organizations. One
particular investigation of note was conducted by DEA's Special Operations
Division. The Special Operations Division is a joint national coordinating
and support entity comprised of agents, analysts, and prosecutors from
DOJ, the USCS, the FBI, the IRS and DEA. This investigation, entitled
Operation Rave, focused on an MDMA distribution cell that operated throughout
the northeast and Florida. The leader of this organization, an Israeli
national, was responsible for the distribution of approximately 150,000
tablets of MDMA per week. This and related spin-off investigations resulted
in the arrest of 105 defendants, the seizure of 620,000 tablets of MDMA
and $935,000 in U.S. currency. The significance of this investigation
was the fact that it identified, for the first time, the involvement of
Israeli and Russian crime groups in MDMA trafficking.
Another DEA investigation
of note was conducted in conjunction with the United States Customs Service
and New York City Police Department. This investigation targeted a major
ecstasy smuggling organization based in the Netherlands that operated
throughout Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. Beginning in February 1999,
Orthodox Jews, between the ages of 18 and 20, principally Hasidic men,
were recruited to serve as ecstasy couriers. The recruiters believed that
these couriers would not attract the attention of Customs inspectors.
Each courier was
promised a free trip to Europe and approximately $1,500 in exchange for
their services. Some couriers were also paid a finder's fee of approximately
$200 for each additional courier they recruited. Many of the couriers
allegedly believed that they were smuggling diamonds. Each courier smuggled
between 30,000 and 45,000 ecstasy pills into the United States. During
the time period of this conspiracy, the organization generally recruited
three couriers per week. The couriers smuggled and attempted to smuggle
drugs through Belgium, France, and Canada. In a few instances, larger
quantities of ecstasy- between 100,000 and 200,000 pills per shipment-
were smuggled into the United States secreted inside various goods transported
through the international commercial shipping system. In addition, some
of the couriers smuggled drug proceeds (approximately $500,000/per trip)
from New York to Amsterdam for delivery to the organizations' leader.
This investigation was a resounding enforcement success because it identified
an MDMA trafficking organization headed by an Israeli national who supervised
the recruitment of couriers, the shipment of drugs into the United States
and the return shipment of the cash proceeds from the United States to
Amsterdam.
Cooperative
Enforcement/Regulatory Efforts in Europe:
Though the Benelux
countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are small geographically
in comparison with the rest of Europe, their modest size belies their
relative importance. As a result of major European waterways, international
airports, extensive railways and modern, efficient telecommunications
networks, this area serves as an attractive operational area for international
drug traffickers. Moreover, the open border policy of the European Union
has facilitated the distribution of illicit drugs throughout the continent.
Due to the exponential
growth of MDMA trafficking from the Netherlands and Belgium, to the United
States, DEA, in conjunction with other Federal and state law enforcement
authorities, has adjusted enforcement priorities to target and dismantle
these organizations. As previously indicated, approximately 90% of the
MDMA that is distributed worldwide is produced in the Netherlands and
Belgium. In addition, Germany, used primarily as a transshipment point,
reported a 250% increase in the seizure of MDMA dosage units from 419,329
in 1998 to 1,470,570 in 1999. More than 990,000 of the dosage units seized
in 1999 were destined for the United States. Furthermore, the United States
appears to be the largest consumer nation of MDMA followed by Great Britain.
Great Britain reported 1999 seizures totaling 4,000,000 dosage units,
99% believed to have originated in the Netherlands.
As a result of the
tremendous upsurge in MDMA seizures over the past year, DEA offices in
The Hague, Brussels, and Berlin, have collaborated with their police counterparts
to formulate and plan appropriate strategies. These partnerships have
proven to be extremely effective and efficient. In addition, to further
assist investigators in the field, the Operations Division at DEA Headquarters
chairs an MDMA working group. This group, comprised of DEA, USCS, German,
French, Dutch, Belgian, and Israeli officials, meet on a monthly basis
to discuss MDMA trafficking organizations, trafficking trends, smuggling
routes, methods of transportation, enforcement, and regulatory issues
and a host of other MDMA-related topics. These discussions have proven
to be particularly beneficial to all those involved.
In addition to this
working group, several initiatives, in areas of enforcement, regulatory
and administrative, are underway by those countries in Western Europe
most affected by MDMA trafficking. As previously noted, The Netherlands,
Belgium, and Germany have experienced staggering increases in MDMA seizures
as well as production laboratories. Perhaps partially due to the "open
border" policy of the European Union, illicitly diverted chemicals and
couriers travel throughout Europe with relative ease. Because an estimated
80% of the MDMA produced in the Benelux countries of The Netherlands and
Belgium, is consumed in the United States, and a significant portion of
it is transshipped through Germany, I will discuss joint DEA-Host nation
cooperative efforts with these countries, respectively.
Considered the principal
"source country" of MDMA, The Netherlands has instituted several ambitious
programs in an effort to rid the country of this stigma. Recognizing the
scope of this problem, Dutch authorities created the National Unit of
Synthetic Drugs (USD). Employing a "Task Force" concept, the USD facilitates
the exchange of information and intelligence related to MDMA trafficking
organizations throughout the region and the world. Recently released USD
statistics for 1999 indicate that Dutch authorities reported the discovery
of 23 MDMA laboratories and the seizure of 3,660,496 MDMA tablets. Also,
several officers of the USD have participated in the clandestine laboratory
training course hosted by DEA's Office of Training.
To further augment
their enforcement priorities, the Dutch Parliament recently passed legislation
allowing, in certain circumstances, the use of Undercover Officers, "Buy/Busts,"
and Controlled Deliveries. In addition, there is a bill before the Dutch
Parliament that would authorize Prosecutors to offer plea bargains to
certain defendants. Also included in this legislation is a law that would
charge individuals with copyright infringement violations. Since the vast
majority of MDMA is sold in tablet form, traffickers seek to differentiate
their product from others by attaching a certain "logo" or "brand name".
The vast majority of these "logos" are cartoon characters, or recognizable
brand names such as Mitsubishi or Rolex. As such, Dutch authorities hope
to further increase the possible criminal penalties by use of this copyright
infringement violation.
From a law enforcement
perspective, Belgian authorities have organized several law enforcement
initiatives to assist the United States in combating the increasing amount
of exports. The police have intensified their efforts to locate and dismantle
ecstasy labs and production sites. Just recently, Belgian authorities
discovered a tabletting operation and seized a record 450,000 ecstasy
tablets. During the month of June, the Belgian Gendarmerie initiated "Operation
Emeritus" at the Brussels International Airport. This operation, done
in concert with DEA Brussels, targeted outbound flights destined for the
United States. Recently, two American couriers were arrested en route
to Atlanta, Georgia in possession of 25,000 ecstasy tablets. In addition,
the Belgian Customs Service has recently intensified their inspection
of mail packages destined for the United States.
Although not recognized
as a MDMA producer, Germany's significance in the MDMA trade is its proximity
to the Benelux region. Germany is attractive as a transshipment point
because of direct flights to the U.S. from Frankfurt, Munich, and Dusseldorf.
According to the DEA in Berlin, cooperation between the DEA and German
National Police and German Customs Service is exceptional. To date, several
controlled deliveries from Germany to the U.S. have been undertaken. Furthermore,
German authorities have established units that specifically target MDMA
trafficking organizations. Several significant enforcement initiatives
are underway which should severely disrupt German-based organizations
that utilize Germany as a transshipment point for MDMA. Perhaps most important
is the fact that German chemical control is among the most rigorous worldwide,
enabling law enforcement to aggressively pursue violators.
United States-European
Community Chemical Control Agreement:
Because MDMA is a
synthetic drug, it is manufactured from chemicals that often get diverted
from legitimate businesses. As such, on May 28, 1997, the United States
Government and the European Community (EC) formally signed the US - EC
Chemical Control Agreement at the US-EC Summit held in Amsterdam, the
Netherlands. The Agreement sets out measures to strengthen administrative
cooperation and to improve working relations between the US and EC to
prevent the diversion of substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture
of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Specifically, the two parties
agreed to assist each other in monitoring the trade between them in scheduled
chemicals, with the intention of preventing their diversion; mutual consultation
on the legitimacy of proposed transactions in scheduled chemicals destined
for third countries; and providing mutual administrative assistance to
ensure that the provisions of the relevant substance trade control legislation
are correctly applied.
The specific chemical
substances covered by the Agreement are the same as those listed in the
Annex to the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances. The precursor chemicals for the illicit production
of MDMA are, therefore, covered by the US-EC Chemical Control Agreement.
The Agreement also established a Joint Follow-up Group that meets on a
yearly basis. The Joint Follow-up Group has met three times since the
inception of the Agreement, alternating meeting places between Brussels,
Belgium, and Washington, D.C.
Demand Reduction
Initiatives:
The increasing power
and diversity of drug trafficking organizations operating throughout the
United States and abroad requires an equally authoritative and creative
response. These drug trafficking organizations seek to entrench criminal
enterprise in modern society; they attempt to lure the youth of this country
into the dark world of drug abuse and crime on a daily basis. As such,
DEA is committed to developing and employing multi-faceted strategies
to combat both drug trafficking and drug abuse. With this in mind, DEA's
Demand Reduction program was created in 1986 in response to the widespread
belief that both law enforcement and drug prevention were necessary components
of a comprehensive attack against the drug problem in the United States.
Given the age of the targeted user population of MDMA and other club drugs,
DEA has instituted a very aggressive and comprehensive plan to bring this
issue to the attention of the American public.
An element of this
plan directs DEA Field Divisions nationwide to integrate club drugs instruction
into their training regime. As a brief illustration of the programs offered,
DEA's New England Field Division has held three demand reduction training
conferences specifically on club drugs. These conferences have included
Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, medical
personnel, and educators. Four additional conferences are planned by the
end of this fiscal year. The Newark Field Division has conducted two club
drug seminars this past year. In addition, they are, at present, producing
a video as part of a statewide club drug demand reduction education curriculum.
The St. Louis Field Division held a club drug training session for Federal,
state, and local law enforcement officers recently. They have also participated
in a number of media interviews and club drug awareness presentations.
Conclusion:
The DEA is continually
working to develop and revise strategies to enhance enforcement effectiveness
and aggressively develop investigations to dismantle significant drug
trafficking organizations. We are confident that with the dedicated and
tireless efforts of all our employees, we will continue to successfully
address not only existing drug problems, but be proactive in devising
strategies to address emerging trends in drug trafficking. As previously
stated, DEA will utilize a multi-faceted approach employing both prevention
and enforcement strategies. In this regard, DEA is working in conjunction
with law enforcement officials throughout Europe and Israel in an effort
to identify, target, dismantle and prosecute those organizations responsible
for the proliferation of MDMA throughout the U.S. and Europe. In addition,
DEA Headquarters has organized a club drug conference scheduled for the
latter part of July 2000. Participants will include law enforcement personnel,
leading researchers, clinicians, prevention specialists, educators, and
medical professionals from around the world, to discuss the alarming resurgence
in use of MDMA and other club drugs.
I thank you for providing
me the opportunity to address the Caucus and I look forward to taking
any questions you may have on this important issue.
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