Supporting DEA's 360° Strategy: Bolstering Enforcement Efforts and Building Community Coalitions To Make a Lasting Difference

Submitted by: Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDDC .20.t16

Passed: November 2016

WHEREAS, the abuse of prescription opioid drugs and heroin addiction have had a devastating effect on communities across the country; and

WHEREAS, drug abuse is the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States with 47,055 in 2014; and

WHEREAS, prescription opioid drugs and heroin overdoses account for 29,467 of those deaths in 2014; and

WHEREAS, heroin related overdose deaths increased 286% between 2002 and 2013; and

WHEREAS, 80% of heroin abusers start by taking prescription opioids; and

WHEREAS, approximately 60 people per day die from overdose in the United States; and

WHEREAS, combatting this epidemic requires a multi-faceted approach curbing both supply and demand for drugs; and

WHEREAS, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has developed a three-pronged strategy, called the 360° strategy, which it is implementing in four pilot cities: Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Louisville; and will be implementing in additional cities; and

WHEREAS, the 360° strategy is a model for interagency cooperation in the fight against opioid and heroin abuse and DEA welcomes partnerships in its implementation of the strategy both nationally and globally; and

WHEREAS, the first prong involves coordination between state and local law enforcement and the DEA leveraging law enforcement resources to disrupt the distribution chain between the drug cartels and local street gangs; and

WHEREAS, the second prong involves coordinated DEA, state and local law enforcement efforts to prevent the diversion of prescription pain killers to the illicit drug trade by targeting the supply and demand problem, engaging industry, practitioners and government health groups, and expanding take back initiatives, education and outreach; and

WHEREAS, the third prong involves DEA and state and local law enforcement leadership in bringing together communities to create coalitions of community leaders who will change attitudes and reduce demand through collaboration, prevention, education, treatment and recovery support; and

WHEREAS, the 360° strategy shows promise in addressing the heroin epidemic; now, therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the DEA 360° strategy as an appropriate approach to curb the prescription pill abuse and heroin addiction epidemic; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, pursuant to the 360° strategy, that the IACP calls upon state and local law enforcement to strengthen its coordination with DEA to more successfully disrupt drug trafficking networks by working alongside DEA Special Agents to target the strategic link points between the cartel suppliers and gang distributers; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, pursuant to the 360° strategy, that the IACP calls upon state and local law enforcement to actively partner in efforts to prevent the diversion of prescription opioids and reduce the supply and demand for illicit prescription pain pills and heroin; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, pursuant to the 360° strategy, that the IACP calls upon state and local law enforcement to actively partner with their local communities to begin building a coalition of community leaders from schools, community based organizations, treatment providers, health fields, faith-based organizations, social service organizations, and local businesses; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, pursuant to the 360° strategy, that the IACP calls upon state and local law enforcement to utilize a comprehensive communication approach with aggressive public messaging through mass media, television, radio, and social media outlets, as well as creating a grassroots movement within each community to empower its citizens to take back their neighborhoods and create safer places for their children.