Drug Control: The Office of National Drug Control Policy--Strategies Need Performance Measures

GAO discussed the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) drug control efforts, focusing on: (1) ONDCP national drug control strategies; (2) the reauthorization of ONDCP; and (3) what lessons have been learned from past ONDCP operations that could enhance its performance. GAO noted that: (1) ONDCP has shifted its strategy to focus on hard-core drug use because it considers it to be the most serious and difficult challenge; (2) ONDCP should be reauthorized, since there is a continuing need for a central planning agency to provide leadership and coordination for the nation's drug control efforts; (3) if ONDCP is reauthorized, it needs to develop improved program evaluation measures for assessing progress under the drug control strategies; (4) Congress should direct ONDCP to develop additional measures to assess progress in reducing drug use and evaluate major drug control efforts; (5) ONDCP needs to work more cooperatively with drug control agencies to develop, assess, and coordinate national drug control policies; and (6) authorizing legislation should be amended to afford ONDCP greater flexibility over drug control budget reviews and certifications.