21 USC 1703 - Appointment and duties of Director and Deputy Directors

View all text of Chapter 22 [§ 1701 - § 1715]

§ 1703. Appointment and duties of Director and Deputy Directors

(a) Appointment

(1) In general

(A) Director

(i) In general

(ii) Appointment

(B) Deputy Director

(i) Performance Budget Coordinator, as described in subsection (c)(5).

(ii) Interdiction Coordinator, as described in section 1710 of this title.

(iii) Emerging and Continuing Threats Coordinator, as described in section 1708 of this title.

(iv) State, Local, and Tribal Affairs Coordinator, to carry out the activities described in subsection (j).

(v) Demand Reduction Coordinator, as described in subparagraph (D).

(D) Demand Reduction Coordinator

(2) Duties of Deputy Director of National Drug Control PolicyThe Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy shall—

(A) carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Director; and

(B) serve as the Director in the absence of the Director or during any period in which the office of the Director is vacant.

(3) Acting Director

(4) Prohibition

(5) Prohibition on political campaigning

(6) Prohibition on the use of funds for ballot initiatives

(b) ResponsibilitiesThe Director—

(1) shall assist the President in the establishment of policies, goals, objectives, and priorities for the National Drug Control Program;

(2) shall promulgate the National Drug Control Strategy under section 1705(a) of this title and each report under section 1705(b) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title in accordance with section 1705 of this title;

(3) shall coordinate and oversee the implementation by the National Drug Control Program agencies of the policies, goals, objectives, and priorities established under paragraph (1) and the fulfillment of the responsibilities of such agencies under the National Drug Control Strategy and make recommendations to National Drug Control Program agency heads with respect to implementation of Federal counter-drug programs;

(4) shall make such recommendations to the President as the Director determines are appropriate regarding changes in the organization, management, and budgets of National Drug Control Program agencies, and changes in the allocation of personnel to and within those departments and agencies, to implement the policies, goals, priorities, and objectives established under paragraph (1) and the National Drug Control Strategy;

(5) shall consult with and assist State and local governments with respect to the formulation and implementation of National Drug Control Policy and their relations with the National Drug Control Program agencies;

(6) shall appear before duly constituted committees and subcommittees of the House of Representatives and of the Senate to represent the drug policies of the executive branch;

(7) shall notify any National Drug Control Program agency if its policies are not in compliance with the responsibilities of the agency under the National Drug Control Strategy, transmit a copy of each such notification to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, and maintain a copy of each such notification;

(8) shall provide, by July 1 of each year, budget recommendations, including requests for specific initiatives that are consistent with the priorities of the President under the National Drug Control Strategy, to the heads of departments and agencies with responsibilities under the National Drug Control Program, which recommendations shall—

(A) apply to the next budget year scheduled for formulation under chapter 11 of title 31, and each of the 4 subsequent fiscal years; and

(B) address funding priorities developed in the National Drug Control Strategy;

(9) may serve as representative of the President in appearing before Congress on all issues relating to the National Drug Control Program;

(10) shall, in any matter affecting national security interests, work in conjunction with the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs;

(11) may serve as spokesperson of the Administration on drug issues;

(12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 812 of this title and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that—

(A) is listed in schedule I of section 812 of this title; and

(B) has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration;

(13) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8221(b)(1)(A), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4142.

(14) shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees on an annual basis, not later than 60 days after the date of the last day of the applicable period, a summary of—

(A) each of the evaluations received by the Director under section 1705(g)(2) of this title; and

(B) the progress of each National Drug Control Program agency toward the drug control program goals of the agency using the performance measures for the agency developed under section 1705(c) 2

2 Probably should be “1705(h)”.

of this title;

(15) shall ensure that drug prevention and drug treatment research and information is effectively disseminated by National Drug Control Program agencies to State and local governments and nongovernmental entities involved in demand reduction by—

(A) encouraging formal consultation between any such agency that conducts or sponsors research, and any such agency that disseminates information in developing research and information product development agendas;

(B) encouraging such agencies (as appropriate) to develop and implement dissemination plans that specifically target State and local governments and nongovernmental entities involved in demand reduction; and

(C) supporting the substance abuse information clearinghouse administered by the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and established in section 290aa(d)(16) of title 42 by—

(i) encouraging all National Drug Control Program agencies to provide all appropriate and relevant information; and

(ii) supporting the dissemination of information to all interested entities;

(16) shall coordinate with the private sector to promote private research and development of medications to treat addiction;

(17) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8221(b)(1)(A), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4142.

(18) shall monitor and evaluate the allocation of resources among Federal law enforcement agencies in response to significant local and regional drug trafficking and production threats;

(19) shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing how the Office of National Drug Control Policy has consulted with and assisted State, local, and tribal governments with respect to the formulation and implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy and other relevant issues;

(20) shall, within 1 year after December 29, 2006, report to Congress on the impact of each Federal drug reduction strategy upon the availability, addiction rate, use rate, and other harms of illegal drugs; and

(21) in order to formulate the national drug control policies, goals, objectives, and priorities—

(A) shall consult with and assist—

(i) State and local governments;

(ii) National Drug Control Program agencies;

(iii) each committee, working group, council, or other entity established under this chapter, as appropriate;

(iv) the public;

(v) appropriate congressional committees; and

(vi) any other person in the discretion of the Director; and

(B) may—

(i) establish advisory councils;

(ii) acquire data from agencies; and

(iii) request data from any other entity.

(1) Responsibilities of National Drug Control Program agencies

(A) In general

(B) Submission of drug control budget requests

(2) National Drug Control Program budget proposalFor each fiscal year, following the transmission of proposed drug control budget requests to the Director under paragraph (1), the Director shall, in consultation with the head of each National Drug Control Program agency and the head of each major national organization that represents law enforcement officers, agencies, or associations—

(A) develop a consolidated National Drug Control Program budget proposal designed to implement the National Drug Control Strategy and to inform Congress and the public about the total amount proposed to be spent on all supply reduction, demand reduction, State, local, and tribal affairs, including any drug law enforcement, and other drug control activities by the Federal Government, which shall conform to the span requirements set forth in paragraph (1)(C) and include—

(i) the funding level for each National Drug Control Program agency; and

(ii) alternative funding structures that could improve progress on achieving the goals of the National Drug Control Strategy; and

(B) submit the consolidated budget proposal to the President and Congress.

(3) Review and certification of budget requests and budget submissions of National Drug Control Program agencies

(A) In general

(B) Review of budget requests

(i) Inadequate requests

(ii) Adequate requests

(iii) Record

(C) Specific requestsThe Director shall not confirm the adequacy of any budget request that requests a level of funding that will not enable achievement of the goals of the National Drug Control Strategy, including—

(i) requests funding for Federal law enforcement activities that do not adequately compensate for transfers of drug enforcement resources and personnel to law enforcement and investigation activities;

(ii) requests funding for law enforcement activities on the borders of the United States that do not adequately direct resources to drug interdiction and enforcement;

(iii) requests funding for substance use disorder prevention and treatment activities that do not provide adequate results and accountability measures; and

(iv) requests funding for drug treatment activities that do not adequately support and enhance Federal drug treatment programs and capacity.

(D) Agency response

(i) In general

(ii) Impact statementThe head of a National Drug Control Program agency that has altered its budget submission under this subparagraph shall include as an appendix to the budget submission for that agency to the Office of Management and Budget an impact statement that summarizes—(I) the changes made to the budget under this subparagraph; and(II) the impact of those changes on the ability of that agency to perform its other responsibilities, including any impact on specific missions or programs of the agency.

(iii) Congressional notification

(E) Certification of budget submissions

(i) In general

(ii) CertificationThe Director shall—(I) review each budget submission submitted under clause (i);(II) based on the review under subclause (I), make a determination as to whether the budget submission of a National Drug Control Program agency includes the funding levels and initiatives described in subparagraph (B); and(III) submit to the appropriate congressional committees—(aa) a written statement that either—(AA) certifies that the budget submission includes sufficient funding; or(BB) decertifies the budget submission as not including sufficient funding;(bb) a copy of the description made under subparagraph (B); and(cc) the budget recommendations made under subsection (b)(8).

(4) Reprogramming and transfer requests

(A) In general

(B) Appeal

(5) Performance-Budget Coordinator

(A) DesignationThe Director shall designate or appoint a United States Performance-Budget Coordinator to—

(i) ensure the Director has sufficient information necessary to analyze the performance of each National Drug Control Program agency, the impact Federal funding has had on the goals in the Strategy, and the likely contributions to the goals of the Strategy based on funding levels of each National Drug Control Program agency, to make an independent assessment of the budget request of each agency under this subsection;

(ii) advise the Director on agency budgets, performance measures and targets, and additional data and research needed to make informed policy decisions under this section and section 1705 of this title; and

(iii) other duties as may be determined by the Director with respect to measuring or assessing performance or agency budgets.

(B) Determination of position

(6) Budget estimate or request submission to Congress

(d) Powers of the DirectorIn carrying out subsection (b), the Director may—

(1) select, appoint, employ, and fix compensation of such officers and employees of the Office as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Office under this chapter;

(2) subject to subsection (e)(3), request the head of a department or agency, or program of the Federal Government to place department, agency, or program personnel who are engaged in drug control activities on temporary detail to another department, agency, or program in order to implement the National Drug Control Strategy, and the head of the department or agency shall comply with such a request;

(3) use for administrative purposes, on a reimbursable basis, the available services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of Federal, State, and local agencies;

(4) procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, relating to appointments in the Federal Service, at rates of compensation for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate of pay payable under level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5311 of title 5;

(5) accept and use gifts and donations of property from Federal, State, and local government agencies, and from the private sector, as authorized in section 1702(d) of this title;

(6) use the mails in the same manner as any other department or agency of the executive branch;

(7) monitor implementation of the National Drug Control Program, including—

(A) conducting program and performance audits and evaluations; and

(B) requesting assistance from the Inspector General of the relevant agency in such audits and evaluations;

(8) transfer funds made available to a National Drug Control Program agency for National Drug Control Strategy programs and activities to another account within such agency or to another National Drug Control Program agency for National Drug Control Strategy programs and activities, except that—

(A) the authority under this paragraph may be limited in an annual appropriations Act or other provision of Federal law;

(B) the Director may exercise the authority under this paragraph only with the concurrence of the head of each affected agency;

(C) in the case of an interagency transfer, the total amount of transfers under this paragraph may not exceed 3 percent of the total amount of funds made available for National Drug Control Strategy programs and activities to the agency from which those funds are to be transferred;

(D) funds transferred to an agency under this paragraph may only be used to increase the funding for programs or activities authorized by law;

(E) the Director shall—

(i) submit to the appropriate congressional committees and any other applicable committees of jurisdiction, a reprogramming or transfer request in advance of any transfer under this paragraph in accordance with the regulations of the affected agency; and

(ii) annually submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the effect of all transfers of funds made pursuant to this paragraph or subsection (c)(4) during the 12-month period preceding the date on which the report is submitted; and

(F) funds may only be used for—

(i) expansion of demand reduction activities;

(ii) interdiction of illicit drugs on the high seas, in United States territorial waters, and at United States ports of entry by officers and employees of National Drug Control Program agencies and domestic and foreign law enforcement officers;

(iii) accurate assessment and monitoring of international drug production and interdiction programs and policies;

(iv) activities to facilitate and enhance the sharing of domestic and foreign intelligence information among National Drug Control Program agencies related to the production and trafficking of drugs in the United States and foreign countries; and

(v) research related to any of these activities;

(9) issue to the head of a National Drug Control Program agency a fund control notice described in subsection (f) to ensure compliance with the National Drug Control Program Strategy and notify the appropriate congressional committees of any fund control notice issued in accordance with subsection (f)(5); and

(10) participate in the drug certification process pursuant to section 2291j of title 22 and section 2291j–1 of title 22.

(e) Personnel detailed to Office

(1) Evaluations

(2) Compensation

(A) Bonus payments

(B) RestrictionsAn amount paid under this paragraph to an employee for any period—

(i) shall not be greater than 20 percent of the basic pay paid or payable to such employee for such period; and

(ii) shall be in addition to the basic pay of such employee.

(3) Maximum number of detaileesThe maximum number of personnel who may be detailed to another department or agency (including the Office) under subsection (d)(2) during any fiscal year is—

(A) for the Department of Defense, 50; and

(B) for any other department or agency, 10.

(f) Fund control notices

(1) In generalA fund control notice may direct that all or part of an amount appropriated to the National Drug Control Program agency account be obligated by—

(A) months, fiscal year quarters, or other time periods; and

(B) activities, functions, projects, or object classes.

(2) Unauthorized obligation or expenditure prohibited

(3) Disciplinary action for violation

(4) Congressional notice

(5) Restrictions

(g) Inapplicability to certain programsThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the National Intelligence Program, the Joint Military Intelligence Program, and Tactical and Related Activities, unless such program or an element of such program is designated as a National Drug Control Program—

(1) by the President; or

(2) jointly by—

in the case of the National Intelligence Program, the Director and the Director of National Intelligence; or

(B) in the case of the Joint Military Intelligence Program and Tactical and Related Activities, the Director, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretary of Defense.

(h) Construction

(i) Model acts program

(1) In generalThe Director shall provide for or shall enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to—

(A) advise States on establishing laws and policies to address illicit drug use issues; and

(B) revise such model State drug laws and draft supplementary model State laws to take into consideration changes in illicit drug use issues in the State involved.

(2) Authorization of appropriations

(j) State, Local, and Tribal Affairs Coordinator

(k) Harm reduction programs

(Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title VII, §§ 704, 715, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–672, 2681–693; Pub. L. 109–469, title I, §§ 103(a)–(e), (f)(3), 105, title VI, § 602, Dec. 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 3506, 3507, 3510, 3511, 3533; Pub. L. 112–166, § 2(t), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1288; Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, §§ 8202(a), (b)(2), 8217(c)–(f), 8221(b)(1), 8222(2), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4110, 4120–4122, 4142; Pub. L. 116–74, § 2(a)(1), (2), (5), Nov. 27, 2019, 133 Stat. 1155.)