The Office of Legal Policy (OLP) is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of the Department's criminal law initiatives relating to drug enforcement. OLP works closely with other Department components and agencies to enhance the Department's efforts to combat trafficking in illicit drugs, particularly with respect to methamphetamine and the diversion of prescription controlled substances for illicit use. In this role, OLP has been extensively involved in developing legislation to update and amend the Controlled Substances Act to address emerging drug trafficking trends such as the proliferation of illicit domestic laboratories producing methamphetamine and use of the Internet to illegally distribute powerful prescription painkillers.

Methamphetamine Awareness

Testimony & Speeches:

Remarks by Joseph T. Rannazzisi regarding "Online Pharmacies and the Problem of Internet Drug Abuse." (June 24, 2008)

Remarks Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey at the National Methamphetamine and Chemicals Initiative Conference (May 7, 2008)

Statement of The Honorable Michele M. Leonhart, Acting Administrator Drug Enforcement Administration before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (March 12, 2008)

Anthony P. Placido, Chief of Intelligence, Drug Enforcement Administration before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Regarding "The U.S. Government's Domestic Obligations Under the Merida Initiative" (February 7, 2008)

Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of Diversion Control Drug Enforcement Administration United States Department of Justice, "Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances: Addressing Health Care and Law Enforcement Priorities" (December 4, 2007)

Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of Diversion Control Drug Enforcement Administration United States Department of Justice, "Breaking the Methamphetamine Supply Chain: Meeting Challenges at the Border" (September 18, 2007)

Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of Diversion Control Drug Enforcement Administration United States Department of Justice (July 12, 2007)

Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of Diversion Control Drug Enforcement Administration United States Department of Justice (May 16, 2007)

Statement of Karen P. Tandy, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (April 19, 2007)

Statement Of The Honorable Karen P. Tandy, Administrator Drug Enforcement Administration Before The United States House Of Representatives Committee On Appropriations Subcommittee On Commerce, Justice, Science And Related Agencies (March 22, 2007)

Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales on Combating Drug Use at the "Monitoring the Future" Press Conference (December 21, 2006)

Transcript of Panel Discussion Hosted by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales for National Methamphetamine Awareness Day (November 30, 2006)

Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the National Methamphetamine and Chemicals Initiative Strategy Conference (May 18, 2006)

Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales on Efforts to Combat Methamphetamine at a Town Hall Meeting in Waleska, Georgia (March 20, 2006)

Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the Senators' National Town Hall on Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention (January 23, 2006)

Testimony of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control, on Breaking the Methamphetamine Supply Chain: Law Enforcement Challenges (September 12, 2006)

Testimony of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control, on Prescription Drug Abuse: What is Being Done to Address This New Drug Epidemic? (July 26, 2006)

Testimony of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control, on Efforts to Combat the Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substance Pharmaceuticals via the Internet (December 13, 2006)

Testimony of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control, on Comprehensively Combating Methamphetamine: Impact on Health and the Environment (October 20, 2005)

Reports & Additional Resources:

Drug Court Study, June 2006

Synthetic Drug Control Strategy, June 2006

National Drug Control Strategy, February 2006

Federal Cocaine Offenses: An Analysis of Crack and Powder Penalties, March 2002

Legislation:

Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008

Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act of 2008

Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008

Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2005