Since its inception in 1988, the HIDTA program has helped law enforcement officials implement integrated operations against drug trafficking organizations and, with ONDCP’s leadership, has provided the American people with a cost-effective solution to the drug crisis. In 2019, the HIDTAs seized an estimated 41.9 billion in illicit drugs and cash—representing a Return on Investment of $159.21 for every $1 budgeted for the HIDTA program.
Removing drugs from our streets. By interdicting and seizing drugs off our shores and within our borders, HIDTAs remove the supply of illicit substances, making it harder for drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to sell their products. In 2019, the HIDTA program seized and disposed of over 7,231 tons of marijuana, 187 tons of cocaine products, 168 tons of meth, 7 tons of heroin, and 3.6 tons of fentanyl.
Dismantling drug trafficking organizations. By targeting drug trafficking organizations, the HIDTAs focus on the entities responsible for the majority of the production, movement, and sales of illicit drugs. Last year, the HIDTAs disrupted and dismantled over 3,100 DTOs, 56% of which were part of international or multi-state operations.
Promoting best practices and innovations. Because of the HIDTA program’s national footprint, law enforcement officials (LEOs) across the country can share their best practices and information with each other and, because of ONDCP’s neutrality, the HIDTAs can share on-the-ground intelligence with Federal agencies for better anti-drug policy.
Preventing substance abuse through comprehensive anti-drug programming. By establishing alliances with public health, healthcare, education, recreation, and other relevant sectors, the HIDTAs help create comprehensive community-based prevention efforts.
Enhancing officers’ safety and coordination. The systems and procedures ONDCP developed for its HIDTA helped LEOs share more than 1.2 million pieces of evidence to unearth connections between cases and perform over 289,000 event deconflictions, actions that can alert LEOs when their tactical operations are occurring in the same general location and timeframe as other agencies. This has reduced unnecessary officer injuries and helped increase arrest and conviction rates.
