Accession Number:

ADA561937

Title:

Ending the Military's Counternarcotics Mission

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Wald, Beth S.

Report Date:

2012-04-03

Pagination or Media Count:

36.0

Abstract:

Since 1989, the Department of Defense DoD has spent billions of dollars combating the illicit drug trade, with little to show for it. There are several possible reasons for the low return on investment of the U.S. militarys counternarcotics efforts. One reason for this apparent failure is that the armed forces are not appropriately trained to combat criminals and criminal organizations. Another reason is that focusing on the supply side of the problem by combating narcotics production and trafficking has proven ineffective over the decades DoD has been engaged in the effort. A third reason for the apparent failure of the militarys counternarcotics program is a lack of viable metrics. Finally, a far more controversial reason relates to the nature of the illicit drug problem. If illegal drugs and the narcotics production and trafficking organizations are actually social welfare and law enforcement challenges, rather than threats to national security, the military is arguably the wrong tool to counter them.

Descriptors:

• *DRUG INTERDICTION
• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *HIGH COSTS
• *MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• *MISSIONS
• *NARCOTICS
• *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• BORDER SECURITY
• COCAINE
• COLOMBIA
• CRIMINALS
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• FEDERAL LAW
• GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN)
• LAW ENFORCEMENT
• METRICS
• MEXICO
• MILITARY ASSISTANCE
• NATIONAL GUARD
• NATIONAL SECURITY
• TERRORISTS

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Sociology and Law
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE