Legal Definitions - ONDCP

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is a component of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Its primary role is to establish, coordinate, and evaluate the nation's drug control efforts. The ONDCP advises the President on drug-related issues, develops the National Drug Control Strategy, and ensures that federal agencies work together effectively to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the ONDCP:

• Example 1: Developing a National Strategy
  When the President decides to launch a new, comprehensive initiative to address the rising rates of synthetic opioid overdoses across the country, the ONDCP would be instrumental. They would convene experts from various federal departments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to gather data, identify priorities, and draft a unified plan. This plan, known as the National Drug Control Strategy, would outline specific goals, allocate responsibilities, and set performance metrics for all federal agencies involved in combating the opioid crisis.

  This example demonstrates how the ONDCP serves as the central coordinating body for developing and articulating the nation's overarching drug control policy.

• Example 2: Budget Review and Certification
  Suppose the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) submits its annual budget request to Congress, which includes significant funding for new international anti-trafficking operations. Before this budget is finalized, the ONDCP would review the DEA's proposal. They would assess whether the proposed spending aligns with the current National Drug Control Strategy and the President's priorities. If the ONDCP certifies the budget, it signals that the proposed expenditures are consistent with the administration's overall drug control objectives, ensuring that federal resources are directed effectively towards national goals.

  This illustrates the ONDCP's role in overseeing and certifying the drug control budgets of federal agencies, ensuring fiscal alignment with national strategy.

• Example 3: Advising on International Cooperation
  During high-level discussions between the U.S. and a neighboring country regarding joint efforts to interdict drug shipments along their shared border, the ONDCP would provide strategic guidance. While the State Department might lead diplomatic negotiations, the ONDCP would offer expert advice on how proposed cooperative agreements fit into the broader U.S. drug control objectives, including intelligence sharing and law enforcement coordination. They would ensure that any international partnership supports the domestic strategy to reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the Uniteds States.

  This example highlights the ONDCP's advisory capacity and its role in ensuring that international drug control efforts are consistent with and contribute to the national strategy.