National illicit drugs strategy initiatives
Government and public concern about an increase in illicit drug use, particularly among the youth of Australia, led to the establishment by the Prime Minister of a task force to examine and improve the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's approach to illicit drugs.
In November 1997, the Prime Minister announced that funding would be provided for a three pronged fight against the illegal drug trade as part of the National Illicit Drug Strategy Initiatives (NIDS) (PDF, 426kb).The funding measures would involve a balance between attacking the importers and distributors of drugs focusing on school education, treatment for drug users and research.
The Federal Government's funding commitment to the AFP under NIDS will amount to $159.6 million over the eight year period between November 1997 and the end of the 2004-2005 financial year. The Federal Government's commitment to funding NIDS will continue until the end of the 2005-2006 financial year at which time the funding arrangements will be reviewed.
Funding initiatives
NIDS has provided the AFP with funding for the following initiatives:
- the employment of additional investigators, analysts and support staff to allow the AFP to develop 10 mobile strike teams targeting high level illicit drug importers
- the establishment of the Law Enforcement Co-operation Program
- new overseas liaison posts in key drug transit locations around the globe and enhancement of existing posts in South East Asia
- the establishment of an AFP resident agent on Thursday Island
- funding for informant handling, witness protection and enhanced telephone interception capacity
- the establishment of the National Heroin Signature Program.