Drug Enforcement Administration and Demand Reduction:
Working for a Drug-Free Northwest  

DEA is actively involved in education efforts designed to reduce the demand for drugs. These efforts are coordinated through the DEA Demand Reduction Program, which was formally created in 1986 in order to mount a comprehensive attack against drug trafficking in the United States. The goal of the Demand Reduction Program is to provide timely, accurate, and persuasive information to the public in an effort to build support for effective drug enforcement, while educating communities about the dangers of drugs and the detrimental effects of drug use.

As Special Agents, Demand Reduction Coordinators (DRCs) bring a unique perspective to the
drug prevention arena. With a clear understanding of the overall drug situation and a broad range of experience working with law enforcement and other agencies in the communities we serve, DRCs play a critical role in effectively linking law enforcement with comprehensive prevention programs, providing a holistic response to the drug problem

On December 18, 2001, Asa Hutchinson, Administrator of the DEA announced a coordinated anti-drug plan that combines law enforcement with intensive community follow-up designed to reduce drug demand. The program, entitled "IDEA" for Integrated Drug Enforcement Assistance, will team the DEA with state and local law enforcement to arrest and prosecute the most significant drug traffickers within designated communities, and will then form coalitions to reduce demand through drug prevention and treatment.

Administrator Hutchinson stated, " This new initiative is consistent with President Bush's message in which he emphasized that both education and drug enforcement are essential to solving America's drug problem. "President Bush stated, "America cannot pick and choose between these goals. All are necessary if any are to be effective."

Administrator Hutchinson continued, "Under this new initiative, the DEA will combine a law enforcement effort with a partnership alongside community coalitions for a long-lasting impact to reduce demand through drug prevention and treatment programs."

The program will consist of Community Action Teams encompassing DEA enforcement personnel with an on-site Demand Reduction Coordinator and a DEA Intelligence Analyst. This program aims to double the number of Demand Reduction personnel within DEA and ultimately place a Demand Reduction Coordintor in every state. This initiative is now being piloted in three communities with the intent of adding more communities in subsequent fiscal years.

A community commitment is the focus of IDEA. Follow-up to enforcement efforts will involve community-based organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, parks and recreation departments, schools, drug courts, and restorative justice. This program will also include an advisory council comprised of officials from law enforcement, the judiciary, substance abuse, and crime prevention. These experts will consult with DEA on the program design, its implementation, and the final evaluation.

In addition to the contributions of professional personnel to IDEA, the program will incorporate volunteers consisting of current and former law enforcement employees, concerned citizens, and youth group volunteers. This will be augmented with demand reduction training in areas of community mobilization, coalition building, prevention and treatment. Administrator Hutchinson will encourage DOJ asset forfeiture recipients to increase contributions to community demand reduction efforts.

For further information on the DEA and/or the Demand Reduction Program, please feel free to contact Special Agent Michael Shum, Demand Reduction Coordinator, Seattle Field Division, at (206) 553-5443 or via e-mail: mc4shum@aol.com.

General information on the Drug Enforcement Administration is available on the web at www.dea.gov.