Opposing Safe Injection Site Programs and Legislation
Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee
ndd.017.A11

WHEREAS, safe injection sites are legally sanctioned facilities for intravenous drug users to abuse controlled substances; and

WHEREAS, although these sites purport to be medically supervised and designed to provide a hygienic environment for drug users in an effort to reduce the nuisance from public drug usage, safe injection site programs, as well as the legislation that supports them, facilitate access to narcotics and dangerous drugs by drug abusers; and

WHEREAS, safe injection site programs convey an implicit acceptance of harmful drug use and exacerbate an already alarming drug abuse problem; and

WHEREAS, implementation of safe injection site programs at any level of government sends a contradictory and harmful message to all citizens, especially children, about the sincerity and necessity of the government's anti-drug policies and creates the appearance that the government endorses the illegal activity; and

WHEREAS, public and private funding best serves public safety and health when used to encourage drug treatment and rehabilitation rather than continued addiction; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, duly assembled at its 118th Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, strongly opposes safe injection sites, and instead strongly supports law enforcement, prevention, education and treatment policies that result in the rejection of drug use.

Supporting Funding for Regional Information Sharing Systems
Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee
ndd.018.A11

WHEREAS, the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) was established more than 30 years ago as a nationwide program to provide flexible and locally based services to local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement as well as criminal justice agencies; and

WHEREAS, RISS provides investigative services to hundreds of thousands of officers in more than 8,700 law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand; and

WHEREAS, using six regional centers and a technology support center, RISS links thousands of criminal justice agencies through secure communications, called RISSNet, and provides information sharing resources and investigative support to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and other regional priorities, with the goal of enhancing the ability to identify, target, and remove criminal conspiracies and activities spanning multi-jurisdictional, multi-state, and sometimes international boundaries; and

WHEREAS, almost 100 agencies are connected or pending connection to RISSNet, including 31 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs), 38 state agency systems, and 22 federal and other systems, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Law Enforcement Online; the FBI National Gang Intelligence Center; the National Virtual Pointer System; Nlets—The International Justice and Public Safety Network; and many others; and

WHEREAS, RISSNet resources include RISSIntel, RISSafe, RISSGang, RISS ATIX, the RISS Investigative Leads Bulletin Board (RISSLeads), a data-visualization and link-analysis tool (RISSLinks), the RISS Search Engine (RISSSearch), and the RISS Center Websites; and

WHEREAS, more than 600 resources from a variety of sources are available to authorized users via RISSNet; and WHEREAS, in FY2010 more than 3.4 million records were available in RISSIntel, which provides member agencies with access to various state, regional, federal and specialized criminal justice intelligence systems; and

WHEREAS, RISSSafe stores and maintains data on planned law enforcement events with the goal of identifying and alerting affected agencies and officers of potential conflicts impacting law enforcement efforts. Since RISSSafe's inception, close to 100,000 conflicts have been identified; and

WHEREAS, in FY2010, RISS analysts developed 37,832 analytical products for investigators and prosecutors to help increase their ability to identify, detect, and apprehend suspects as well as enhance prosecutorial success in court; and

WHEREAS, in FY2010, RISS intelligence research staff responded to 102,761 requests to conduct database searches and research numerous resources; and

WHEREAS, in FY2010, RISS loaned 4,992 pieces of highly specialized investigative and surveillance equipment to member agencies to aid in their criminal investigations; and

WHEREAS, in FY2010, RISS provided $393,186 in confidential funds to purchase contraband, stolen property and other items of an evidentiary nature, or for other investigative expenses; and

WHEREAS, in FY2010, 80,204 criminal justice professionals received training through RISS and the RISS Centers published 317 documents and distributed thousands of copies to law enforcement personnel; and

WHEREAS, by connecting agencies and systems to RISSNet, rather than funding the build-out of infrastructure for new stand-alone information systems, hundreds of millions of dollars are saved and millions of data records are easily and quickly accessed by law enforcement at little or no cost to the user; and

WHEREAS, information-sharing among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies is critical in a Post-9/11 world. In FY2010, with the assistance of RISS services, agencies arrested 4,563 individuals and seized or recovered more than $23 million in narcotics, property and currency; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 118th Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, acknowledges that the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) program is indispensable to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement efforts to fight crime and terrorism; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP strongly urges the United States Congress to fully fund the RISS Program.

SUPPORT FOR THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.001.a08

WHEREAS, in 1994 Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included provisions making it a federal crime for an individual to possess or transfer assault weapons (firearms) manufactured after that date; and

WHEREAS, the ban expired on September 13, 2004; and

WHEREAS, anecdotal evidence from the law enforcement community indicates that assault weapons (firearms) are increasingly being used by drug dealers and gang members; and

WHEREAS, trace data of firearms seized in Mexico and within the United States bound for Mexico indicates that drug trafficking organizations at all levels are choosing higher quality and more powerful weapons which commonly include, among others, the Colt AR-15 .233 caliber assault rifle and the AK-47 type/variant 7.62 caliber assault rifle; and

WHEREAS, assault weapons (firearms) are rapidly becoming the weapon of choice for street level drug traffickers; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are increasingly the victims of firearm related crime; specifically: within the United States in 2007, 68 law enforcement officers were shot and killed, representing a 26% increase from 2006 and, of those, 11 were shot with a rifle; and

WHEREAS, assault weapons (firearms) commonly include combat features which make the weapon more lethal and its user more difficult to detect; and

WHEREAS, the IACP supports efforts to eliminate the easy accessibility and use of assault weapons (firearms); now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, strongly supports legislation to reinstate the ban on assault weapons (firearms).

                                                           Support for Full Byrne Grant Funding

                                              Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

                                                                             NDD.002.a08

WHEREAS, federal programs designed to assist local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies have played a vital role in reducing the nation's crime rate; and

WHEREAS, local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies are on the front lines in confronting the most powerful and sophisticated organized crime groups ever to challenge domestic law enforcement agencies, i.e., the international drug trafficking organizations; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) acknowledges that the Byrne Formula Grant Program was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988; and

WHEREAS, the IACP recognizes that the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program is a partnership among federal, state, and local governments to create safer communities; and

WHEREAS, the problems presented by the unprecedented flow of drugs into this country by these international criminal syndicates continues to be a threat in many areas of the United States, particularly middle-sized and smaller-sized cities and rural areas; and

WHEREAS, the 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for formula grant funds; and

WHEREAS, the IACP supports efforts to improve functioning of the criminal justice system with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders and the enforcement of state, local and tribal laws similar to those in the Federal Controlled Substances Act; and

WHEREAS, the omnibus FY 2008 appropriations bill provided only $170 million for Byrne Grant funding, representing more than a two-thirds decrease from 2007 funding levels and nearly a $900 million dollar decrease in funding from 2002; and

WHEREAS, Byrne Grant funding has experienced a steady and substantial decline in funding for federal government assistance programs since FY 2002. 9

WHEREAS, the lack of Byrne Grant funding has and will continue to severely affect the ability of state, tribal, and local law enforcement to continue drug enforcement and demand reduction efforts; and

WHEREAS, since state, tribal, and local police are often the first responders to a terrorist attack; and

WHEREAS, effective anti-crime programs are effective anti-terrorism programs, and evidence indicates that terrorist organizations and transnational gangs that are funded in part by the sale of illegal drugs add a new dimension to the need for continued investigation of narcotics-related crime; and

WHEREAS, the Byrne Grant Funding Program has proven itself an invaluable resource for cooperative federal, state, and local anti-crime policing strategies, funding multijurisdictional drug task forces and D.A.R.E. training, which are critical to state, tribal, and local law enforcement responses to the drug threat; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, calls upon Congress to approve a supplemental funding package that will immediately restore full funding to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and to fully fund the Byrne Grant Funding Program for fiscal year 2009.

WHEREAS, drug trafficking organizations (DTO) often utilize basic marketing principles to establish a customer base; and

WHEREAS, to create product interest and to establish brand loyalty, drug trafficking organizations commonly use catchy product names such as: BC Bud instead of Canadian grown marijuana and Acapulco Gold instead of Mexican grown marijuana; and

WHEREAS, the IACP has concluded that the broad use by the law enforcement community of DTO created product brand names to describe illicitly manufactured, possessed, distributed and/or consumed controlled substances helps to encourage and promote the market for such substances by providing particular brands greater name recognition and desirability; now,therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, calls upon all law enforcement entities to use generic and/or scientific descriptions to identify controlled substances, and to avoid using DTO created product "brand" names when it is feasible to do so.

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.003.a08

Teenage Illicit Steroid Use

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.004.a08

WHEREAS, steroids are schedule III controlled substances, requiring a prescription to be used legally in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the use of steroids by teenagers presents significant health risks, which may include among other things: aggressiveness, acne, injury to the connective tissues, damaged liver, altered cholesterol levels, stunted growth, permanent breast size increase and premature baldness in males, and females may experience male pattern baldness, the growth of body hair, and a deepening voice; and

WHEREAS, steroidal supplements (also referred to as dietary supplements) may also produce the same harmful side effects as steroids when taken in quantities that substantially increase the body testosterone level; and

WHEREAS, teenage athletes often admire professional athletes and emulate their behavior; and

WHEREAS, several professional athletes, including track star Marion Jones, track and field star Ben Johnson, and football player Lyle Alzado, among others, have either admitted or have been shown to use steroids; and

WHEREAS, the education of teenagers about the health hazards of steroid and steroidal supplement use and the legal consequences of illegal steroid use is an extremely important and effective way to reduce steroid abuse; and

WHEREAS, there are various publicly available resources that may be utilized by secondary schools to educate teenage athletes and their parents regarding the health hazards of steroid and steroidal supplement use and the legal consequences of illegal steroid use, including but not limited to the following: a. Taylor Hooton Foundation, an internet website dedicated to the abolishment of performance enhancing drug use by Americas youth through evaluation education and elimination, at http://www.taylorhooton.org 12 b. NIDA for teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse, an internet website sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse which provides information concerning the use and abuse of various drugs, including steroids, at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_ster1.asp c. NIDA. Research Report Series Anabolic Steroids Abuse, at http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/AnabolicSteroids.html d. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Information, Steroids, provides general information regarding steroid health effects, regulatory/legal controls, and treatment resources, at www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/steroids.html f. DEA Demand Reduction, Street Smart Prevention, an internet website providing information about various drugs including steroids, at http://www.justthinktwice.com/drugfacts/steroids.cfm g. Steroid Abuse, an internet website designed by a group of steroid users, doctors and Ph.D.s in the field of sports, at www.steroid-abuse.org h. Drug Facts. Office of National Drug Control Policy. Steroids, at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/index.html; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), identifies and publishes model programs that have been successfully used in schools, communities, and various service organizations, to reduce substance abuse and related high risk behaviors; and

WHEREAS, SAMHSA has prepared a model program regarding teenage steroid use, titled ATLAS (Athletes Training and Learning To Avoid Steroids), at http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/programfulldetails.asp?PROGRAM_ID=97; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, calls for the support (including sufficient funding) and promotion of an education and awareness program designed to combat steroid and steroidal supplement use among teenage athletes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP calls upon secondary schools to require that, prior to any teenage athlete acceptance into a school sponsored athletic program and/or participation in a school sponsored athletic competition, the teenage athlete receive training on the health hazards of steroid and steroidal supplement use and the legal consequences of illegal steroid use; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP calls upon secondary schools to require that, prior to any teenage athlete receive training on the health hazards of steroid and steroidal supplement use and the legal consequences of illegal steroid use.

WHEREAS, steroids are schedule III controlled substances, requiring a medical prescription to be used legally in the United States and internationally; and

WHEREAS, the use of steroids may present a wide range of harmful physical and psychiatric side effects; and

WHEREAS, steroidal supplements (also referred to as dietary supplements) may also produce the same harmful side effects as steroids when taken in quantities that substantially increase the body testosterone level; and

WHEREAS, in order to ensure a drug free law enforcement community, it is important for law enforcement officers to receive continuing education regarding the harmful effects of steroids and steroidal supplements and the legal consequences of the illegal use of steroids; and

WHEREAS, uniform policies regarding the use of steroids and steroidal supplements would reinforce law enforcement to ensuring a drug free law enforcement community and will reinforce the public confidence in law enforcement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, calls upon state and local law enforcement entities to establish a model policy prohibiting the use of illegally obtained steroids and warn of the dangers of steroidal supplements; and, therefore, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP calls upon the development of instructional materials, including a training video, for the purpose of providing consistent training to all law enforcement officers concerning the health risks associated with the use of steroids and steroidal supplements and for the purpose of keeping the law enforcement community apprised of legal and policy prohibitions associated with the use of steroids and steroidal supplements.

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.005.a08

WHEREAS, there is a substantial evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful to the mental and physical health of marijuana users; and

WHEREAS, indoor marijuana grow sites often contain fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, solvents and other chemicals used in the cultivation of marijuana, and mold, as well as equipment that often requires significant power sources; and

WHEREAS, limited research has been conducted to determine whether the indoor marijuana grow sites present unique health and safety concerns which would warrant taking special precautions and providing protective equipment to law enforcement personnel required to enter such environments (see e.g., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, A Discussion Paper on Indoor Air Quality Investigations of Houses Used for Marijuana Grow Operations, Research Highlight, Technical Series 07-101, March 2007, at http://dsppsd.pwgsc.gc.ca/collection_2007/cmhc-schl/nh18-22/NH18-22-07-101E.pdf accessed 05-15-08); and

WHEREAS, employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees; now,therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, calls upon the law enforcement community to conduct research to determine whether indoor marijuana grow sites present unique health and safety concerns which would require it to take greater precautions upon entering such environments and which would warrant providing protective equipment to law enforcement personnel required to enter such environments.

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.006.a08

WHEREAS, the concept of "harm reduction" has gained acceptance in a number of nations as drug policymakers attempt to deal with the social and medical consequences of widespread drug use by their citizens; and

WHEREAS, "harm reduction" advocates believe that adoption of such policies will result in fewer drug-related illnesses and deaths, lower rates of drug-related criminal activities and less stigma attached to drug use; and

WHEREAS, adoption of "harm reduction" policies has proven to increase drug problems and related crime; and, in 1987, Zurich permitted drug use and sales in a part of the city called Platzpitz, dubbed "Needle Park." By 1992, the number of regular drug users at the park had reportedly swelled from a few hundred in 1987 to 20,000. The area around the park became crime ridden to the point that the park had to be shut down, and the experiment has since been terminated. (Cohen, Roger, "Amid Growing Crime, Zurich Closes a Park it Reserved for Drug Addicts, " The New York Times, 11 February 1992); and

WHEREAS, "harm reduction" activities include, but are not limited to, needle exchange programs, the provision of drugs to addicts, the establishment and management of "safe injection sites" provided to facilitate use of illegal narcotics, the analysis of drugs at rave parties (on-site and through postal services), the proliferation of websites aimed at providing drug users information on the "safe use" of drugs; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of "harm reduction" policies sends a message, particularly to young people, that drug use is "normal" behavior that is condoned by the public, health institutions and governments; and

WHEREAS, there is no truly "safe use" of illegal drugs; and WHEREAS, "harm reduction" policies negate the value and effectiveness of law enforcement and prevention programs by perpetuating defeatist attitudes that drug use is an unavoidable aspect of the "human condition;" and 16

WHEREAS, "harm reduction" strategies have been espoused by individuals and organizations seeking to eventually legalize drugs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, strongly opposes "harm reduction" policies and supports law enforcement, prevention, education and treatment policies that result in the rejection of drug use.

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.007.a08

Recognition of the Successful Actions of President Calderon in Drug Law Enforcement

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.001.a09

WHEREAS, Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinojosa assumed office as President of Mexico on December 1, 2006; and

WHEREAS, President Calderon has led intensive drug enforcement operations against Mexican drug cartels since assuming office, resulting in the capture of numerous drug traffickers, the record seizures of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs, and the destruction of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and airstrips, drug camps and marijuana and opium poppy farms; and

WHEREAS, Mexican drug cartels have become increasingly desperate and violent as a result of increased disruption of their organizations by successful law enforcement efforts in the United States and Mexico, increasing the risk of harm to Mexican law enforcement and government personnel and resulting in the death of more than 10,600 people since President Calderon took office, including at least 450 Mexican police officers and soldiers since January 2007; and

WHEREAS, President Calderon continues to provide strong leadership in a courageous effort to dismantle powerful Mexican drug trafficking organizations, in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement authorities in the United States and throughout the world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 116th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, commends President Calderon for his Comprehensive Strategy Against Drug Trafficking and strongly urges all governments and law enforcement agencies to continue support of his efforts to dismantle drug cartels and bring stability to Mexico's northern border region.

Supporting Full Funding for Mobile Enforcement Teams Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.002.a09

WHEREAS, the coordinated efforts of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, working cooperatively with communities to address drug trafficking and abuse, are recognized as the most effective way to disrupt criminal organizations; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) programs primary mission is to prioritize investigations targeting illicit drug sources of supply for criminal street gangs and violent crime organizations; and

WHEREAS, criminal street gangs and violent crime are of major concern to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and the MET program addresses this concern by targeting the sources of supply for illicit drugs to these criminal organizations in an effort to dismantle or disrupt them; and

WHEREAS, MET teams are dispatched to areas that have a high incidence of violent crime related to street-level drug trafficking, areas plagued by a high volume of drug trafficking and areas of drug distribution around schools, playgrounds and other areas where youths congregate; and

WHEREAS, since the inception of the program, MET teams have been successful in reducing the impact of drug-related violence in diverse communities ranging from large metropolitan areas to smaller jurisdictions, which include Opa Locka, Florida; Irvington, New Jersey; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Florissant, Missouri; Silver City, New Mexico; and Dickinson, Texas; and

WHEREAS, as state and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate more crimes with less financial, material, staffing and technical resources, the MET initiative provides critical financial and technical support to investigations; and

WHEREAS, in FY 2008, there were 11 MET deployments, which resulted in the arrest of 310 criminal street gang members and violent criminals and the disruption and dismantlement of 11 drug trafficking organizations; and

WHEREAS, in FY2009, DEA was able to allocate an addition $10,000,000 to train, equip and support the MET initiative, including the addition of four additional MET teams operating throughout the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 116th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, strongly urges the United States Congress and the Administration to provide continued funding of the MET initiative, as well as an increase in funding to levels permitting DEA to support and expand this essential program.

WHEREAS, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine are found in both prescription and over-the-counter products, including those frequently used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies; and

WHEREAS, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) was enacted in 2006 to limit the availability of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, because these substances are commonly used to make methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive stimulant, often manufactured in covert, illegal laboratories throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, the long-term use of methamphetamine may cause addiction, anxiety, insomnia, violent behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, depression, brain damage and death; and

WHEREAS, the CMEA banned the over-the-counter sales of products which contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, such as cold and allergy medicines; limited the quantity of these products that each individual is permitted to purchase behind-the-counter during a specified period of time; and required sellers to maintain a purchase log book to track the amount of purchases made by each individual to ensure compliance with the CMEAs quantity limitations; and

WHEREAS, drug traffickers are bypassing the CMEAs quantity limitations by a practice called smurfing wherein several individuals purchase small quantities of products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine from multiple sellers, thereby undermining the ability of each seller to track the total amount of purchases made by an individual purchaser; and

WHEREAS, some States have successfully prevented the practice of smurfing by enacting legislation requiring sellers to maintain a real-time, electronic log book for all such purchases; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 116th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, urges the Congress of the United States to pass the necessary legislation to establish, under the appropriate federal regulatory entity, a nationwide real-time, electronic log book to record purchases of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine sales; to provide for the maintenance of and access to the real-time electronic log book; and to set criminal penalties for the intentional violation of the CMEAs quantity limitations.

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.003.a09