Hints on Using the ONDCP Site Search

The ONDCP uses a Microsoft Index Server search engine which will search ASCII (plain text), Adobe Acrobat PDF, Word (.doc), PowerPoint (.ppt), and HTML documents on the site and return the titles of the documents which contain the word(s) you typed. You can then view a document by clicking the title.

• Performing a Search
• Combining Terms
• Interpreting your Search Results
• If You Find Too Much
• If You Find Too Little

Performing a Search

To search, simply type the word or words that describe your topic into the open search box. Click on the search button to submit your search.

Combining Terms

You can combine your search words with AND, OR and NOT as well as parentheses ( ). For example, if you are searching for information on substance abuse in correctional facilities you could enter:

(substance abuse) and (correctional or prison or jail)

Do not enclose your search terms in quotes unless quotes are a part of the expression for which you are searching.

Interpreting Your Search Results

Documents matching your query are displayed in order of relevance, with those judged most relevant listed first.

Your search terms are treated with a "fuzzy AND" operator. For example, if you enter the terms residential treatment facility, Excite will search for those terms anywhere on this site. Excite will find documents with any or all of those terms, including residential treatment facility, treatment facility or facility. On your results screen documents with all three terms will be ranked above documents with only one or two of those terms.

If You Find Too Much

Make your wording more specific. Remember that all of the publications on the Office of National Drug Control Policy Web site deal with drug policy, so including words like drug or policy in your search will bring back too much.

Add another term into the open search box. For example, instead of entering corrections and treatment, type in corrections and treatment and mental health.

If You Find Too Little

Remove one of the terms from your search. If you are using too many terms you may be restricting your search too much.

Change one of the terms to a broader term. For example, replace marijuana treatment with marijuana.

Try to think of synonyms or related words and combine them with OR, for example:

• cannabis or marijuana
  
• police or law enforcement and California
  
• (narcotics or drugs) and (adolescents or juveniles)
  

Look for misspellings in the terms you have entered.