01 April 2003
U.S., Britain Join Efforts to Fight Drugs
(Specialists will share research on addiction, crime-fighting
technologies) (510)
U.S. Director of National Drug Control Policy John Walters and British
Home Secretary David Blunkett signed an agreement March 31 to combine
their efforts in counterdrug research and technology in order to save
money and avoid duplication of effort.
A press release from the Office of National Drug Control Policy
(ONDCP) said the agreement calls for an information exchange between
medical researchers examining the brain to understand the mechanics of
addiction and drug dependency. American and British scientists and law
enforcement agencies will also join efforts in development of
technology to detect, monitor and disrupt the activities of drug
suppliers.
"Both of our nations suffer from addiction, crime and violence caused
by drugs," said Walters. "Our shared challenges deserve shared
solutions."
Following is the text of the ONDCP press release:
(begin text)
OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY
March 31, 2003
UNITED STATES AND UNITED KINGDOM ANNOUNCE NEW SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIP
AGAINST DRUG DEPENDENCY AND ADDICTION
Top Researchers Will Partner to Develop State-of-the-Art Technologies
Aimed at Helping Doctors and Police Fight Drug Crime and Addiction
Washington, D.C. - The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
and the United Kingdom's Home Office today signed a Memorandum of
Understanding that will facilitate the flow of information between
scientists working on programs and technologies aimed at reducing drug
crime and addiction. The new agreement will integrate and adapt the
counterdrug technologies from both nations to save development costs
and avoid duplication.
John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy stated, "Both
of our nations suffer from addiction, crime, and violence caused by
drugs. Our shared challenges deserve shared solutions. This agreement
will allow our medical communities and law enforcement agencies to be
more effective by making the most up to date technology and research
available to them. We look forward to expanding our already productive
partnership with the U.K."
U.K. Home Secretary David Blunkett said, "This agreement will speed
the creation, testing and deployment of the very best that British and
American scientific minds have to offer. Our doctors and police will
now have the best tools available as we seek to reduce the supply and
demand of illicit drugs. This effort will save lives and improve the
quality of life for all of our citizens."
ONDCP and its partners utilize science, medicine, and technology to
achieve the goals and objectives of President Bush's National Drug
Control Strategy. Through the diligent efforts of medical researchers
and counterdrug enforcement scientists, addicts are completing
treatment and reentering society, and drug traffickers are being
apprehended and removed from our communities. The new partnership will
benefit medical researchers who are currently researching the basic
circuitry of the brain in order to understand the fundamental causes
of substance abuse addiction. Scientists and engineers will also be
able to assist police achieve an edge over sophisticated drug
suppliers by developing technology that can be used to detect,
monitor, and disrupt their operations.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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