The Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force was established in 1996 in response to a provision of the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act. The legislation directed the Attorney General to convene a group of Federal and non-Federal experts from the fields of law enforcement, prevention, education, and treatment to conduct a review of existing efforts to confront the problems caused by methamphetamine and to make recommendations about what more should be done.
In assembling the Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force, the Attorney General drew together national leaders with vast experience in their fields. Joined by representatives of four members of the President's Cabinet, these experts have conducted a thorough analysis and review of what is being done to respond to the threat of methamphetamine, what we already know that can help guide future efforts, and what remains to be learned. This distinguished panel has focused considerable expertise and wisdom on the issue of synthetic stimulants such as methamphetamine. Their work carries the weight of experience that spans disciplines and professions. We are confident that the results of their work will serve as a solid foundation as we move forward on this issue.
This report represents the 2-year effort of the Task Force, presenting the principles that have guided the Task Force in its deliberations; the recommendations of the Task Force in the areas of prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement; and the research needs discovered by the Task Force through its deliberations.
In developing this report, the Task Force has sought input from a host of experts at the Federal, State, and local levels. The Task Force has benefited from briefings and presentations by officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In addition, the Task Force has attended two community forum meetings, one in Omaha, Nebraska, and one in San Diego, California. These meetings, organized by the local communities, have helped provide a realistic context for the discussions and deliberations of the Task Force.
In November 1999, the Task Force hosted a summit at which national stakeholders representing prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement provided their feedback and recommendations on how to implement the Task Force's recommendations. The themes that participants generated during that meeting are incorporated into the final section of the report.
The Task Force is grateful to the many experts, agencies, and organizations representing health, education, law enforcement, and other disciplines who have generously contributed their ideas to this multidisciplinary effort. We hope that readers of this report who are involved in efforts to address methamphetamine as well as other drugs will benefit from this information.
Jeremy Travis
Director
National Institute of Justice
Donald R. Vereen, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.
Deputy Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
