Drug Control: Reauthorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

GAO discussed the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) drug control efforts, focusing on: (1) whether ONDCP should be reauthorized; and (2) measures to enhance ONDCP operational effectiveness. GAO noted that: (1) ONDCP measures the success of its national drug control strategy in terms of its progress in reducing actual drug use; (2) although ONDCP has reported a decline in drug use among casual drug users, the number of frequent hard-core drug users has not declined, drugs remain readily available, the price of drugs has decreased, and drug-related violence and associated health problems persist; (3) ONDCP should be reauthorized, since there is a continuing need for a central planning agency to coordinate the nation's drug control efforts; and (4) if reauthorized, ONDCP needs to develop improved performance indicators for assessing its progress in meeting national drug control strategies, coordinate its efforts with other drug control agencies to prevent duplication and improve data collection operations, balance the number of political appointees with career employees, and have greater flexibility over its budget reviews and certifications.