9781422280218

T he DEA, or Drug Enforcement Administration, is the drug-busting arm of the Depart- ment of Justice and is responsible for carrying out the drug laws and regulations of the United States, laid down by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The DEA’s role is to enforce these laws, bringing illegal drug dealers and manufacturers to justice. This, of course, includes working to reduce the amount of drugs finding their way into the United States from foreign countries. Drugs are a danger whether produced at home or abroad. Indeed, the DEA’s mission statement makes this clear: The mission of the DEA is to • enforce the controlled-substances laws and regulations of the United States; • bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, organizations and principal members of organizations involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and • recommend and support nonenforcement programs aimed at reducing the avail- ability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets. How the DEA Is Organized The DEA employs more than 5,000 people and has a federal budget of $2.03 billion. It works with state, federal, and foreign agencies to spread these resources in the worldwide battle against drugs.

Words to Understand Assets: Items owned by a person or company. Euphoria: Feeling of well-being or elation. Trafficking: Illegal commercial activity.

T he D rug E nforcement A dministration

9