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Drug Abuse (8)

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The original documents are located in Box 11, folder "Drug Abuse (8)" of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 11 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library Insury DEA Bensinger ADMINISTRATOR September 3, 1976 To: Mr. Jim Cannon Jim - for your information. PP FORD is LIBRARY CERALD 090808 Chicago Tribune WORLDS GREATMET NEWSPAPER FOUNDED June 10. 1847 STANTON R. Cook, Chairman and Publisher ROBERT M. HUNT, President CLAYTON KIRKPATRICK, Editor JOHN McCutcHEON, Editorial Page Editor MAXWELL McCROHON, Managing Editor WILLIAM H. JONES, Managing Editor, News 8 Section 1 Monday, August 2, 1976 THE NEWSPAPER is an institution developed by modern civilization to present the news of the day, to foster commerce and industry, to inform and lead public opinion, and to furnish that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide. -THE TRIBUNE CREDO New tools for drug war Drug abuse is on the increase again in study. One-fourth of bail jumpers in the United States. Successes in the bat- drug cases are aliens caught smuggling tle against narcotics in the early 1970s drugs into the United States; they sim- have eroded and the number of individu- ply post bail and leave the country. al tragedies caused by drugs is growing. President Ford wants to close this loop- More than 5,000 persons are dying of hole by allowing judges to deny bail to drug overdoses each year in the United persons arrested on heroin charges if States. Many thousands more are they have previously been convicted of a trapped in ruined lives. And drug abuse drug felony, are already on parole, are costs now top $17 billion annually. nonresident aliens or fugitives, or have The problem of drug abuse is excruci- been arrested with a false passport. atingly complex. But one thing is clear: Attacking the huge profits being made The federal government needs several in drug trafficking, President Ford has stronger legal weapons to cut down on asked for legislation to require the for- the profitability and ease of trafficking feiting of cash or securities involved in in heroin and similar dangerous drugs. narcotics sales when found in the pos- These necessary and obvious changes in session of a drug dealer. The proposed the law have been proposed by Presi- law would also make it easier to search dent Ford and introduced in the Senate for large sums of money being trans- -and they should be enacted as quickly ported out of the United States to buy as possible by Congress. drugs or as illegal drug profits going Currently, one in every four persons into secret bank accounts abroad. convicted of trafficking in heroin does not get a prison sentence at all. One in Still another legal loophole that helps every three draws a term of less than illegal drug trade is the 24-hour grace three years, and those who do go to jail period given to small, privately owned are eligible for parole after serving one- boats before they must report to cus- third of their sentence. The legislation toms after arriving in U.S. waters. The proposed by President Ford requires time lag gives plenty of opportunity for mandatory sentences of three years for unloading illegal drugs before inspec- persons convicted of manufacturing, im- tion. President Ford's proposals call for porting, or trafficking in heroin or simi- all boats to report immediately to cus- FORD & LIBRARY GERALD lar dangerous drugs, with no parole eli- toms. gibility for the full three years. Second These proposals by themselves won't offenses would draw mandatory sen- completely solve the nation's nasty and tences of six years. growing narcotics problems. But all of The new legislation would also tighten them will be useful tools in the continu- up bail restrictions in narcotic cases. ing fight against those who are pushing Forty-eight per cent of individuals ar- dangerous drugs for personal profit. rested for trafficking in narcotics are Congress should lose no time in passing rearrested on drug charges while out on the legislation necessary to put these bail, according to a Justice Department tools to work. JMC file Drugo THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 16, 1976 Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of August 20, inviting Mr. Richard Parsons of my staff and me to appear and give testimony be- fore the newly created Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. As you know, the President has a keen interest in reducing the level of drug abuse in the United States and he has made this one of the priority objectives of his Administration. As members of his staff, Mr. Parsons and I have served to communicate the President's interest and policy guidance to the Administration officials having direct program responsi- bility in this area and to help to insure coordination of the total Federal effort. I am advised by counsel that, as a matter of principle and precedent, members of the President's immediate staff customarily do not appear before Congressional committees to testify with respect to the performance of their duties on behalf of the President. This limitation, I am further advised, has been recognized by the Congress and the Executive as a principle of comity between the respective Branches. I must, therefore, on behalf of myself and Mr. Parsons, respectfully decline the invitation to testify before the Committee in public hearings. The creation of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control is a clear sign that the Congress shares the President's sense of concern about the tragic problem of - 2 - drug abuse, and he is eager for those in the Administration with direct program responsibility to work with the Committee in carrying out its mission. Further, I would be pleased to submit to the Committee a written statement concerning the role of the Domestic Council in coordinating drug abuse related activities if it would be helpful. Sincerely, James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The Honorable Lester L. Wolff Chairman Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C. 20515 CC: Dick Parsons PETER W. RODINO, JR., N.J. J. HERBERT BURKE, FLA. PAUL G. ROGERS, FLA. ToM RAILSBACK, ILL. KIKA DE LA GARZA, TEX. LOUIS FREY, JR., FLA. JAMES R. MANN, S.C. ROBIN L. BEARD, TENN. HERMAN BADILLO, N.Y. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, N.Y. MORGAN F. MURPHY, ILL. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TENNYSON GUYER, OHIO CHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y. FORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, CALIF. SELECT COMMITTEE ON JAMES H. SCHEUER, N.Y. GLENN ENGLISH, OKLA. NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIF. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 LESTER L. WOLFF, N.Y., CHAIRMAN August 20, 1976 Mr. James M. Cannon Mr. Richard D. Parsons The Domestic Council The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Sirs: The new Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control has been charged with the responsibility of reviewing in depth all ongoing programs concerned with narcotics traffic and abuse with an objective of recommending to Congress a comprehensive plan of attack on this problem. In accord with this mandate, while the physical procedures of amassing and reviewing all available material on this subject is underway, the Select Committee will begin a series of hearings to thoroughly ground its membership on the programs of all agencies and depart- ments involved in drug-related activities. Included in the jurisdiction of the Select Committee is the authorization to "review any recommendations made by the President or by any depart- ment or agency of the Federal Government, relating to programs or policies affecting nar- coties abuse and control." Since your Council has a responsibility in this area, it would be appreciated if you would make yourself available to appear before the Committee in public hearings during the week of September 20-24, 1976. Should it be necessary for part of your testimony to be taken in executive session, I would appreciate it if you could notify the committee in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. These public hearings will begin the Committee's study of the Federal response to the current drug abuse epidemic. The Select Committee is concered with both the domestic and international aspects of the drug problem and the task of supply and demand reduction. I hope that you will contribute to the efforts of the Select Committee by taking this oppor- tunity to brief the Members of the Select Committee on the scope of your operations and the approach which your organization takes toward the complex issue of narcoties abuse and control. It would be helpful if you could include in your testimony any recommendations which you feel would improve the effectiveness or the efficiency of the Federal effort to control, treat or prevent drug abuse. Tom Vogel of our staff will be in touch with your secretary to discuss your role in the hearings and the necessary arrangements. Sincerely & FORD Lester L. Wolff Chairman GERALD LIBRARY file THE WHITE HOUSE Drugs WASHINGTON September 16, 1976 Dear Madam Ambassador: I understand that your Mission will host the European Regional Narcotics Coordinators' Conference next week. As you know, President Ford has made reducing the tragic toll of drug abuse one of his Administration's highest priorities and has invested a great deal of his personal time and attention to this effort over the past fifteen months. He is deeply concerned about the ravages of drug abuse on American society and his commitment to improving the Federal narcotics program is absolute. Since most seriously abused drugs have their origins in other countries, our ability to deal with the problem depends to`a very considerable degree on the capability and interest of other governments to deal with drug trafficking within their borders and to cooperate with us in law enforcement and exchange of information on the international level. Thus, the international narcotics control program is a vital part of the total effort to reduce drug abuse here in the United States. On behalf of the President, I would like to ask you to underline the importance he places on this program during next week's conference and thank the participants for their efforts to combat drug abuse. I sincerely hope that the conference will go well. Warm personal regards. Sincerely, James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The Honorable Anne L. Armstrong American Ambassador London CLEARANCE SHEET DATE: 9-16-76 JMC ACTION ASAP, and before c.o.b. Required by 9=17=76 STAFF RESPONSIBILITY PARSONS SUBJECT: LETTER TO ANNE ARMSTRONG RECEIVED FROM: DATE RECEIVED: STAFF COMMENTS: Should be Synted toright. QUERN MOORE RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE needs 90 be syred REVIEW & COMMENT tonights DISCUSS AND CANNON ACTION: DATE: Material Has Been: Signed and forwarded Changed and signed Returned per conversation Noted JIM CANNON Comment: MEMORANDUM THE WHITE HOUSE SIGNATURE WASHINGTON September 16, 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: Jim Cannon FROM: Dick Parsons D. SUBJECT: Letter to Anne Armstrong Attached is a draft letter from you to Ambassador Armstrong which is self-explanatory. I think it would be useful to convey to her a sense of the importance the President attaches to the drug abuse prevention program so that she, in turn, can convey it to the conferees. (I will not be at the conference since I have been "grounded.") NSC and State concur in the letter. If it meets with your approval, please sign and return it to me. I will give it to Ambassador Vance, who will hand-carry it to London. Attachment CC: Dick Parsons PETER W. RODINO, JR., N.J. J. HERBERT BURKE, FLA. PAUL G. ROGERS, FLA. TOM RAILSBACK, ILL. KIKA DE LA GARZA, TEX. LOUIS FREY, JR., FLA. JAMES R. MANN, S.C. ROBIN L. BEARD, TENN. HERMAN BADILLO, N.Y. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, N.Y. MORGAN F. MURPHY, ILL. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TENNYSON GUYER, OHIO CHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y. FORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, CALIF. JAMES H. SCHEUER, N.Y. SELECT COMMITTEE ON Drugs GLENN ENGLISH, OKLA. NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIF. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 1976 SEP LESTER L. WOLFF, N.Y. CHAIRMAN 21 PM 12 43 Dish September 20, 1976 Ms seyd In Dear Mr. Cannon: Thank you for your letter of September 16, in which you explain why, for reasons of principle and precedent, you and Mr. Richard Parsons are unable to participate directly in the hearings about to be conducted by the Select Committee. I would like to thank you for your kind offer to provide the Select Committee with a written state- ment concerning the role of the Domestic Council in coordinating drug abuse related activities. This would be most helpful indeed, and I hope you will send it to us as soon as possible. I appreciate your kind words about the creation of the Select Committee and look forward to working with you on this important subject in the months ahead. Sincerely, Chairman Mr. James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The White House FORD LIBRARY is GERALD 092106 INFORMATION MEMORANDUM of THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 23, 1976 976 SEP 23 PiA 2 55 MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT FROM: DICK PARSONS SUBJECT: President's Meeting with Jose Lopez- Portillo Jim Cannon asked me to give you some talking points concerning the importance of the Mexican drug eradication and interdiction programs for the subject meeting. They are attached. I hope they are helpful. CC: Jim Cannon Drith 92 92316 TALKING POINTS 1. As you know, the problem of illicit drug production and trafficking is one which affects millions of citizens of both our countries. 2. I am greatly appreciative of the efforts your government has made to eradicate both opium poppies and marijuana, and to curtail the trafficking of these drugs to the United States. I want to compliment your government for its commitment to this important effort. 3. I would hope most fervantly that you will continue the high priority the eradication and interdiction programs have received over the past several years and that the change-over in governments does not cause any of the momentum to be lost at this critical time. 4. I want you to know that you will have our continuing support and cooperation in dealing with this problem we share. Only by working together can we hope to succeed. MEMORANDUM THE WHITE HOUSE INFORMATION/DECISION WASHINGTON September 24, 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: Jim Cannon FROM: Dick Parsons D. SUBJECT: Statement Concerning the Role of the Domestic Council in Coordinating Drug Abuse-Related Activities Attached is a draft statement concerning the role of the Domestic Council in coordinating the role of the Domestic Council in coordinating drug abuse-related activities. If the statement meets with your approval, I will transmit, on your behalf, 50 copies to Congressman Wolff for inclusion in the record of the hearings of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. 8 Attachment Dorh As cometes- pa one. and Thenk In 092106 CC: Parsons EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 076 651 20 LONDON 53 October 12, 1976 Mr. James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Jim: Many thanks for your letter of September 16th. It was my privilege to open the European Regional Narcotics Conference by welcoming the delegates at the American Embassy. I share the President's great concern about the evils of drug abuse and his belief that only through international control can the problem be reduced in the United States as well as elsewhere in the world. With warmest regards, Sincerely, Que Anne Armstrong Ambassador MEMORANDUM THE WHITE HOUSE INFORMATION/ WASHINGTON SIGNATURE October 20, 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: Jim Cannon FROM: Dick Parsons D. SUBJECT: Letter of Congratulations to Commandant of Coast Guard re: Interception of Panamanian Freighter and Seizure of Illicit Narcotics On Friday, October 15, the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman intercepted a Panamanian freighter, the DON EMELIO, in the southeastern Bahamas after receiving permission from the Panamanian Government to board the ship. An incredible 160 tons of marihuana was found aboard the ship and seized. The 28-man crew has been turned over to Panamanian authorities for prosecution. The Coast Guard is still searching for a large quantity of cocaine believed to be aboard the ship. The size of the seizure is notable in itself (this is the largest seizure of illicit drugs on record). More importantly, the seizure resulted from the close cooperation of the Coast Guard, the U. S. Customs Service, the Drug Enforcement Admistration, the State Department and the Panamanian Government. This is the kind of cooperative effort the President has been urging. I think a congratulatory letter from you, on behalf of the President, is in order and I have prepared the attached for your review. Attachment Did THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON October 21, 1976 Dear Admiral Siler: The President has asked me to express to you his personal congratulations on the recent Coast Guard seizure of the Panamanian freighter, the DON EMELIO, and its cargo of illicit drugs. I understand that the 160 tons of marihuana seized represents the largest single seizure in the history of the United States' war against illegal drug trafficking. As you know, the President is deeply concerned about the problem of drug abuse and he has made reducing its tragic toll one of his highest priorities. He has been especially interested in ensuring that the total resources of the Federal government are brought to bear on this problem in a coordinated manner. The close cooperation of the Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U. S. Customs Service, the Department of State and the Panamanian Govern- ment in this case attests to the progress we have made in this regard. Please extend my personal congratulations to Captain Deillette and the crew of the Cutter Sherman. They have made a valuable contribution to our national program to combat drug abuse. Sincerely, Janes M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs Admiral Owen W. Siler, USCG Commandant United States Coast Guard Department of Transportation Washington, D. C. 20590 CC: The Honorable William T. Coleman bcc: The Honorable Peter B. Bensinger The Honorable Vernon D. Acree The Honorable Sheldon B. Vance ACTION DOMESTIC COUNCIL FROM: Congressman Charlie Rangel SUBJECT: Administration's Drug Abuse control efforts Date: 11/4/76 COMMENTS: Expresses particular concern for recent "atrophy" of IRS' Narcotics Trafficking Program. Expresses support of pending $20.1 million budget supplemental request. Seeks your reactions. (Sent to Parsons for draft reply Dru porsous is ? Whateoi what of R. FORD ACTION: GERALD LIBRARY Date: CHARLES B. RANGEL WAYS AND MEANS Drugs COMMITTEE: 19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT NEW YORK SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 107 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 Congress of the United States TELEPHONE: 202-225-4365 DISTRICT OFFICES: 55 WEST 125TH STREET house of Representatives NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10027 GEORGE A. DALLEY TELEPHONE: 212-348-1600 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Washington, D.C. 20515 720 COLUMBUS AVENUE PLEASE RESPOND TO NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10025 OFFICE CHECKED: TELEPHONE: 212-850-1500 WASHINGTON NEW YORK November 4, 1976 MS. VIVIAN JONES DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR The Honorable James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The White House Washington, D.C. Dear Mr Carnen: I have followed closely the President's pronouncements and actions in the renewed war against drug abuse. My general concern is that there appears to be a gap between the actions proposed and the resources committed. Specifically, I am distressed that the Narcotics Trafficking Program (NTP) in the Internal Revenue Service has atrophied during the last two years and that resources previously devoted to it have been diverted to other priority efforts in the Service. I am also confused about the Service's position on structuring the NTP into a viable and identifiable organizational entity where devoted re- sources -- manpower and dollars -- can be easily counted and results can be appropriately attributed. I am further concerned that IRS policy-makers may place too much emphasis on revenue-producing potential when deciding relative priorities of various programs. I am aware that the IRS has a pending supplemental budget request under review in OMB for $20.1 million which purportedly would provide ample resources for an effective NTP. I would be happy to support a request for additional resources, if needed, and if the resources were clearly targeted toward suspected tax evaders involved in narcotics who otherwise escape the arm of the law. I would appreciate your reaction to these concerns. I hope that you and others in the Executive Branch will work together to bring about an early and effective IRS contribution to a coordinated Federal attack on narcotics law offenders. Charlie CHARLES B. RANGEL Sincerely Member of Congress CBR:ekb cc: James T. Lynn, OMB Donald C. Alexander, IRS CC: Dick Parsons HEALTH. OF PRICATION, MATMENT AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY U.S.A. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201 shy + 1976 NOV 25 PM I 53 NOV 24 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE JAMES M. CANNON SUBJECT: FEDERAL STRATEGY FOR DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG TRAFFIC PREVENTION 1976 The Department has reviewed the final draft of the Federal Strategy for Drug Abuse and Drug Traffic Prevention. We concur on the draft currently being considered. Robert L. DuPont, M.D. Executive Director Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation 112601 ROC 208 24 NOV DEPARTMENT OF 1976 HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE POSTAGE AND FEES PAID ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF H.E.W. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE HEW-389 U.S.MAIL 11400 ROCKVILLE PIKE ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300 Honorable James M. Cannon Assistant to the President For Domestic Affairs AMERICAN REVOLUTION EXCENTENNAL White House Washington, D.C. 1776-1976 82 Justice Drugs. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 16, 1976 Dear Congres Charley sman Rangel: Thank you for your letter of November 4, concerning the Narcotics Trafficking Program of the Internal Revenue Service. As you know, the President agrees with you concerning the importance of this program in dealing with high level drug traffickers. Accordingly, at his direction the IRS and the Drug Enforcement Administration have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the names of 375 suspected drug violators have already been provided to the IRS for follow-up audit if appropriate. In short, the program is now underway. As for budgetary resources, the pending FY 1977 supplemental is now being reviewed along with the FY 1978 budget. In light of the importance of this program, I feel certain that the President's January budget recommendations will contain adequate funds to enable the IRS to carry on a vigorous attack against narcotic traffickers. On behalf of the President, I want to thank you for your continued interest in and support of this vital program. Sincerely, Jhin James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The Honorable Charles B. Rangel U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 ACTION DOMESTIC COUNCIL FROM: Parsons SUBJECT: Letter to you from Cong. Rangel re: war on drugs Date: 12/15 COMMENTS: Parsons prepared the attached letter which I modified as indicated. Do you know what budget decisions were made on this (i.e. to make sure your statement re: budget is correct) ? A. LIBRARY ACTION: Date: THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 976 DEC 15 AM 11 50 Jim - Per your request, a draft response to Rangel's letter is attached. Dick 161505 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 15, 1976 Dear Congressman Rangel: Thank you for your letter of November 4 concerning the Narcotics Trafficking Program of the Internal Revenue Service. As you know, the President agrees with you concerning the importance of this program in dealing with high level drug traffickers. Accordingly, at his direction the IRS and the Drug Enforcement Administration have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the names of 375 suspected drug violators have already been provided to the IRS for follow-up audit if appropriate. In short, the program is now underway. As for budgetary resources, the pending FY 1977 supplemental is now being reviewed along with the FY 1978 budget. In light of the importance of this program, I feel certain that the President's January budget recommendations will contain adequate funds to enable IRS to more vigorously carry on a vigorous press the attack against narcotic traffickers. On behalf of the President, I want the to thank you for your continued interest in and support of this vital program. Sincerely, James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The Honorable Charles B. Rangel United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DATE: 11/15 TO: Dich P FROM: ALLEN MOORE SUBJECT: ACTION: FYI: for droft reply, or other action if appropriate. CHARLES B. RANGEL COMMITTEE: 19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WAYS AND MEANS NEW YORK SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 107 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 Congress of the United States DISTRICT OFFICES: TELEPHONE: 202-225-4365 55 WEST 125TH STREET house of Representatives NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10027 GEORGE A. DALLEY TELEPHONE: 212-348-1600 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Washington, D.C. 20515 720 COLUMBUS AVENUE PLEASE RESPOND TO NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10025 OFFICE CHECKED: TELEPHONE: 212-850-1500 WASHINGTON November 4, 1976 MS. VIVIAN JONES NEW YORK DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR The Honorable James M. Cannon Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs The White House Washington, D.C. Dear Mr Cannen: I have followed closely the President's pronouncements and actions in the renewed war against drug abuse. My general concern is that there appears to be a gap between the actions proposed and the resources committed. Specifically, I am distressed that the Narcotics Trafficking Program (NTP) in the Internal Revenue Service has atrophied during the last two years and that resources previously devoted to it have been diverted to other priority efforts in the Service. I am also confused about the Service's position on structuring the NTP into a viable and identifiable organizational entity where devoted re- sources -- manpower and dollars -- can be easily counted and results can be appropriately attributed. I am further concerned that IRS policy-makers may place too much emphasis on revenue-producing potential when deciding relative priorities of various programs. I am aware that the IRS has a pending supplemental budget request under review in OMB for $20.1 million which purportedly would provide ample resources for an effective NTP. I would be happy to support a request for additional resources, if needed, and if the resources were clearly targeted toward suspected tax evaders involved in narcotics who otherwise escape the arm of the law. I would appreciate your reaction to these concerns. I hope that you and others in the Executive Branch will work together to bring about an early and effective IRS contribution to a coordinated Federal attack on narcotics law offenders. Charlie CHARLES B. RANGEL Sincerely Member of Congress CBR:ekb cc: James T. Lynn, OMB

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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 11, folder \"Drug Abuse (8)\" of the James M.\nCannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 11 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nInsury\nDEA\nBensinger ADMINISTRATOR\nSeptember 3, 1976\nTo: Mr. Jim Cannon\nJim - for your information.\nPP\nFORD is LIBRARY CERALD\n090808\nChicago Tribune\nWORLDS\nGREATMET\nNEWSPAPER\nFOUNDED June 10. 1847\nSTANTON R. Cook, Chairman and Publisher\nROBERT M. HUNT, President\nCLAYTON KIRKPATRICK, Editor\nJOHN McCutcHEON, Editorial Page Editor\nMAXWELL McCROHON, Managing Editor\nWILLIAM H. JONES, Managing Editor, News\n8\nSection 1\nMonday, August 2, 1976\nTHE NEWSPAPER is an institution developed by modern civilization to\npresent the news of the day, to foster commerce and industry,\nto inform and lead public opinion, and to furnish that check upon\ngovernment which no constitution has ever been able to provide.\n-THE TRIBUNE CREDO\nNew tools for drug war\nDrug abuse is on the increase again in\nstudy. One-fourth of bail jumpers in\nthe United States. Successes in the bat-\ndrug cases are aliens caught smuggling\ntle against narcotics in the early 1970s\ndrugs into the United States; they sim-\nhave eroded and the number of individu-\nply post bail and leave the country.\nal tragedies caused by drugs is growing.\nPresident Ford wants to close this loop-\nMore than 5,000 persons are dying of\nhole by allowing judges to deny bail to\ndrug overdoses each year in the United\npersons arrested on heroin charges if\nStates. Many thousands more are\nthey have previously been convicted of a\ntrapped in ruined lives. And drug abuse\ndrug felony, are already on parole, are\ncosts now top $17 billion annually.\nnonresident aliens or fugitives, or have\nThe problem of drug abuse is excruci-\nbeen arrested with a false passport.\natingly complex. But one thing is clear:\nAttacking the huge profits being made\nThe federal government needs several\nin drug trafficking, President Ford has\nstronger legal weapons to cut down on\nasked for legislation to require the for-\nthe profitability and ease of trafficking\nfeiting of cash or securities involved in\nin heroin and similar dangerous drugs.\nnarcotics sales when found in the pos-\nThese necessary and obvious changes in\nsession of a drug dealer. The proposed\nthe law have been proposed by Presi-\nlaw would also make it easier to search\ndent Ford and introduced in the Senate\nfor large sums of money being trans-\n-and they should be enacted as quickly\nported out of the United States to buy\nas possible by Congress.\ndrugs or as illegal drug profits going\nCurrently, one in every four persons\ninto secret bank accounts abroad.\nconvicted of trafficking in heroin does\nnot get a prison sentence at all. One in\nStill another legal loophole that helps\nevery three draws a term of less than\nillegal drug trade is the 24-hour grace\nthree years, and those who do go to jail\nperiod given to small, privately owned\nare eligible for parole after serving one-\nboats before they must report to cus-\nthird of their sentence. The legislation\ntoms after arriving in U.S. waters. The\nproposed by President Ford requires\ntime lag gives plenty of opportunity for\nmandatory sentences of three years for\nunloading illegal drugs before inspec-\npersons convicted of manufacturing, im-\ntion. President Ford's proposals call for\nporting, or trafficking in heroin or simi-\nall boats to report immediately to cus-\nFORD & LIBRARY GERALD\nlar dangerous drugs, with no parole eli-\ntoms.\ngibility for the full three years. Second\nThese proposals by themselves won't\noffenses would draw mandatory sen-\ncompletely solve the nation's nasty and\ntences of six years.\ngrowing narcotics problems. But all of\nThe new legislation would also tighten\nthem will be useful tools in the continu-\nup bail restrictions in narcotic cases.\ning fight against those who are pushing\nForty-eight per cent of individuals ar-\ndangerous drugs for personal profit.\nrested for trafficking in narcotics are\nCongress should lose no time in passing\nrearrested on drug charges while out on\nthe legislation necessary to put these\nbail, according to a Justice Department\ntools to work.\nJMC file\nDrugo\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nSeptember 16, 1976\nDear Mr. Chairman:\nThank you for your letter of August 20, inviting Mr. Richard\nParsons of my staff and me to appear and give testimony be-\nfore the newly created Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse\nand Control.\nAs you know, the President has a keen interest in reducing\nthe level of drug abuse in the United States and he has made\nthis one of the priority objectives of his Administration.\nAs members of his staff, Mr. Parsons and I have served to\ncommunicate the President's interest and policy guidance to\nthe Administration officials having direct program responsi-\nbility in this area and to help to insure coordination of the\ntotal Federal effort.\nI am advised by counsel that, as a matter of principle and\nprecedent, members of the President's immediate staff\ncustomarily do not appear before Congressional committees\nto testify with respect to the performance of their duties\non behalf of the President. This limitation, I am further\nadvised, has been recognized by the Congress and the\nExecutive as a principle of comity between the respective\nBranches. I must, therefore, on behalf of myself and\nMr. Parsons, respectfully decline the invitation to testify\nbefore the Committee in public hearings.\nThe creation of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse\nand Control is a clear sign that the Congress shares the\nPresident's sense of concern about the tragic problem of\n- 2 -\ndrug abuse, and he is eager for those in the Administration\nwith direct program responsibility to work with the\nCommittee in carrying out its mission. Further, I would\nbe pleased to submit to the Committee a written statement\nconcerning the role of the Domestic Council in coordinating\ndrug abuse related activities if it would be helpful.\nSincerely,\nJames M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nThe Honorable Lester L. Wolff\nChairman\nSelect Committee on Narcotics Abuse\nand Control\nUnited States House of Representatives\nWashington, D. C.\n20515\nCC: Dick Parsons\nPETER W. RODINO, JR., N.J.\nJ. HERBERT BURKE, FLA.\nPAUL G. ROGERS, FLA.\nToM RAILSBACK, ILL.\nKIKA DE LA GARZA, TEX.\nLOUIS FREY, JR., FLA.\nJAMES R. MANN, S.C.\nROBIN L. BEARD, TENN.\nHERMAN BADILLO, N.Y.\nBENJAMIN A. GILMAN, N.Y.\nMORGAN F. MURPHY, ILL.\nU.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\nTENNYSON GUYER, OHIO\nCHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y.\nFORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, CALIF.\nSELECT COMMITTEE ON\nJAMES H. SCHEUER, N.Y.\nGLENN ENGLISH, OKLA.\nNARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL\nHENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIF.\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nLESTER L. WOLFF, N.Y., CHAIRMAN\nAugust 20, 1976\nMr. James M. Cannon\nMr. Richard D. Parsons\nThe Domestic Council\nThe White House\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue\nWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Sirs:\nThe new Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control has been charged with\nthe responsibility of reviewing in depth all ongoing programs concerned with narcotics\ntraffic and abuse with an objective of recommending to Congress a comprehensive plan\nof attack on this problem.\nIn accord with this mandate, while the physical procedures of amassing and reviewing\nall available material on this subject is underway, the Select Committee will begin a series\nof hearings to thoroughly ground its membership on the programs of all agencies and depart-\nments involved in drug-related activities. Included in the jurisdiction of the Select Committee\nis the authorization to \"review any recommendations made by the President or by any depart-\nment or agency of the Federal Government, relating to programs or policies affecting nar-\ncoties abuse and control.\"\nSince your Council has a responsibility in this area, it would be appreciated if you\nwould make yourself available to appear before the Committee in public hearings during\nthe week of September 20-24, 1976. Should it be necessary for part of your testimony to\nbe taken in executive session, I would appreciate it if you could notify the committee in\nadvance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.\nThese public hearings will begin the Committee's study of the Federal response to\nthe current drug abuse epidemic. The Select Committee is concered with both the domestic\nand international aspects of the drug problem and the task of supply and demand reduction.\nI hope that you will contribute to the efforts of the Select Committee by taking this oppor-\ntunity to brief the Members of the Select Committee on the scope of your operations and\nthe approach which your organization takes toward the complex issue of narcoties abuse\nand control.\nIt would be helpful if you could include in your testimony any recommendations which\nyou feel would improve the effectiveness or the efficiency of the Federal effort to control,\ntreat or prevent drug abuse. Tom Vogel of our staff will be in touch with your secretary\nto discuss your role in the hearings and the necessary arrangements.\nSincerely\n&\nFORD\nLester L. Wolff\nChairman\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nfile\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nDrugs\nWASHINGTON\nSeptember 16, 1976\nDear Madam Ambassador:\nI understand that your Mission will host the European\nRegional Narcotics Coordinators' Conference next week.\nAs you know, President Ford has made reducing the tragic\ntoll of drug abuse one of his Administration's highest\npriorities and has invested a great deal of his personal\ntime and attention to this effort over the past fifteen\nmonths. He is deeply concerned about the ravages of\ndrug abuse on American society and his commitment to\nimproving the Federal narcotics program is absolute.\nSince most seriously abused drugs have their origins in\nother countries, our ability to deal with the problem\ndepends to`a very considerable degree on the capability\nand interest of other governments to deal with drug\ntrafficking within their borders and to cooperate with us\nin law enforcement and exchange of information on the\ninternational level. Thus, the international narcotics\ncontrol program is a vital part of the total effort to\nreduce drug abuse here in the United States.\nOn behalf of the President, I would like to ask you to\nunderline the importance he places on this program during\nnext week's conference and thank the participants for\ntheir efforts to combat drug abuse. I sincerely hope\nthat the conference will go well.\nWarm personal regards.\nSincerely,\nJames M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nThe Honorable Anne L. Armstrong\nAmerican Ambassador\nLondon\nCLEARANCE SHEET\nDATE: 9-16-76\nJMC ACTION\nASAP, and before c.o.b.\nRequired by\n9=17=76\nSTAFF RESPONSIBILITY PARSONS\nSUBJECT:\nLETTER TO ANNE ARMSTRONG\nRECEIVED FROM:\nDATE RECEIVED:\nSTAFF COMMENTS:\nShould be Synted toright.\nQUERN MOORE RECOMMENDATION:\nAPPROVE\nneeds 90 be syred\nREVIEW & COMMENT\ntonights\nDISCUSS\nAND\nCANNON ACTION:\nDATE:\nMaterial Has Been:\nSigned and forwarded\nChanged and signed\nReturned per conversation\nNoted\nJIM CANNON\nComment:\nMEMORANDUM\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nSIGNATURE\nWASHINGTON\nSeptember 16, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nJim Cannon\nFROM:\nDick Parsons\nD.\nSUBJECT:\nLetter to Anne Armstrong\nAttached is a draft letter from you to Ambassador Armstrong\nwhich is self-explanatory.\nI think it would be useful to convey to her a sense of the\nimportance the President attaches to the drug abuse prevention\nprogram so that she, in turn, can convey it to the conferees.\n(I will not be at the conference since I have been \"grounded.\")\nNSC and State concur in the letter. If it meets with your\napproval, please sign and return it to me. I will give it\nto Ambassador Vance, who will hand-carry it to London.\nAttachment\nCC: Dick Parsons\nPETER W. RODINO, JR., N.J.\nJ. HERBERT BURKE, FLA.\nPAUL G. ROGERS, FLA.\nTOM RAILSBACK, ILL.\nKIKA DE LA GARZA, TEX.\nLOUIS FREY, JR., FLA.\nJAMES R. MANN, S.C.\nROBIN L. BEARD, TENN.\nHERMAN BADILLO, N.Y.\nBENJAMIN A. GILMAN, N.Y.\nMORGAN F. MURPHY, ILL.\nU.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\nTENNYSON GUYER, OHIO\nCHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y.\nFORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, CALIF.\nJAMES H. SCHEUER, N.Y.\nSELECT COMMITTEE ON\nDrugs\nGLENN ENGLISH, OKLA.\nNARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL\nHENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIF.\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\n1976\nSEP\nLESTER L. WOLFF, N.Y. CHAIRMAN\n21\nPM\n12\n43\nDish\nSeptember 20, 1976\nMs\nseyd In\nDear Mr. Cannon:\nThank you for your letter of September 16,\nin which you explain why, for reasons of principle\nand precedent, you and Mr. Richard Parsons are unable\nto participate directly in the hearings about to be\nconducted by the Select Committee.\nI would like to thank you for your kind offer\nto provide the Select Committee with a written state-\nment concerning the role of the Domestic Council in\ncoordinating drug abuse related activities. This\nwould be most helpful indeed, and I hope you will\nsend it to us as soon as possible.\nI appreciate your kind words about the\ncreation of the Select Committee and look forward\nto working with you on this important subject in\nthe months ahead.\nSincerely,\nChairman\nMr. James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President for Domestic Affairs\nThe White House\nFORD LIBRARY is GERALD\n092106\nINFORMATION\nMEMORANDUM\nof\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nSeptember 23, 1976\n976 SEP 23 PiA 2 55\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nFROM:\nDICK PARSONS\nSUBJECT:\nPresident's Meeting with Jose Lopez-\nPortillo\nJim Cannon asked me to give you some talking points concerning\nthe importance of the Mexican drug eradication and interdiction\nprograms for the subject meeting. They are attached.\nI hope they are helpful.\nCC: Jim Cannon\nDrith\n92 92316\nTALKING POINTS\n1. As you know, the problem of illicit drug production and\ntrafficking is one which affects millions of citizens\nof both our countries.\n2. I am greatly appreciative of the efforts your government\nhas made to eradicate both opium poppies and marijuana,\nand to curtail the trafficking of these drugs to the\nUnited States. I want to compliment your government for\nits commitment to this important effort.\n3. I would hope most fervantly that you will continue the\nhigh priority the eradication and interdiction programs\nhave received over the past several years and that the\nchange-over in governments does not cause any of the\nmomentum to be lost at this critical time.\n4. I want you to know that you will have our continuing support\nand cooperation in dealing with this problem we share.\nOnly by working together can we hope to succeed.\nMEMORANDUM\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nINFORMATION/DECISION\nWASHINGTON\nSeptember 24, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nJim Cannon\nFROM:\nDick Parsons D.\nSUBJECT:\nStatement Concerning the Role of the\nDomestic Council in Coordinating\nDrug Abuse-Related Activities\nAttached is a draft statement concerning the role of the\nDomestic Council in coordinating the role of the Domestic\nCouncil in coordinating drug abuse-related activities.\nIf the statement meets with your approval, I will transmit,\non your behalf, 50 copies to Congressman Wolff for inclusion\nin the record of the hearings of the House Select Committee\non Narcotics Abuse and Control.\n8\nAttachment\nDorh As cometes- pa\none. and Thenk In\n092106\nCC: Parsons\nEMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA\n076 651 20 LONDON 53\nOctober 12, 1976\nMr. James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nThe White House\nWashington, D. C. 20500\nDear Jim:\nMany thanks for your letter of September 16th.\nIt was my privilege to open the European Regional\nNarcotics Conference by welcoming the delegates\nat the American Embassy. I share the President's\ngreat concern about the evils of drug abuse and\nhis belief that only through international control\ncan the problem be reduced in the United States\nas well as elsewhere in the world.\nWith warmest regards,\nSincerely,\nQue\nAnne Armstrong\nAmbassador\nMEMORANDUM\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nINFORMATION/\nWASHINGTON\nSIGNATURE\nOctober 20, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nJim Cannon\nFROM:\nDick Parsons\nD.\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Congratulations to Commandant\nof Coast Guard re: Interception of\nPanamanian Freighter and Seizure of\nIllicit Narcotics\nOn Friday, October 15, the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman\nintercepted a Panamanian freighter, the DON EMELIO, in the\nsoutheastern Bahamas after receiving permission from the\nPanamanian Government to board the ship. An incredible\n160 tons of marihuana was found aboard the ship and seized.\nThe 28-man crew has been turned over to Panamanian authorities\nfor prosecution. The Coast Guard is still searching for a\nlarge quantity of cocaine believed to be aboard the ship.\nThe size of the seizure is notable in itself (this is the\nlargest seizure of illicit drugs on record). More\nimportantly, the seizure resulted from the close cooperation\nof the Coast Guard, the U. S. Customs Service, the Drug\nEnforcement Admistration, the State Department and the\nPanamanian Government. This is the kind of cooperative effort\nthe President has been urging.\nI think a congratulatory letter from you, on behalf of the\nPresident, is in order and I have prepared the attached for\nyour review.\nAttachment\nDid\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nOctober 21, 1976\nDear Admiral Siler:\nThe President has asked me to express to you his personal\ncongratulations on the recent Coast Guard seizure of the\nPanamanian freighter, the DON EMELIO, and its cargo of\nillicit drugs. I understand that the 160 tons of marihuana\nseized represents the largest single seizure in the history\nof the United States' war against illegal drug trafficking.\nAs you know, the President is deeply concerned about the\nproblem of drug abuse and he has made reducing its tragic\ntoll one of his highest priorities. He has been especially\ninterested in ensuring that the total resources of the\nFederal government are brought to bear on this problem in\na coordinated manner. The close cooperation of the Coast\nGuard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U. S. Customs\nService, the Department of State and the Panamanian Govern-\nment in this case attests to the progress we have made in this\nregard.\nPlease extend my personal congratulations to Captain Deillette\nand the crew of the Cutter Sherman. They have made a valuable\ncontribution to our national program to combat drug abuse.\nSincerely,\nJanes M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nAdmiral Owen W. Siler, USCG\nCommandant\nUnited States Coast Guard\nDepartment of Transportation\nWashington, D. C. 20590\nCC: The Honorable William T. Coleman\nbcc: The Honorable Peter B. Bensinger\nThe Honorable Vernon D. Acree\nThe Honorable Sheldon B. Vance\nACTION\nDOMESTIC COUNCIL\nFROM:\nCongressman Charlie Rangel\nSUBJECT:\nAdministration's Drug Abuse control efforts\nDate: 11/4/76\nCOMMENTS:\nExpresses particular concern for recent\n\"atrophy\" of IRS' Narcotics Trafficking\nProgram.\nExpresses support of pending $20.1 million\nbudget supplemental request.\nSeeks your reactions.\n(Sent to Parsons for draft reply\nDru\nporsous is ?\nWhateoi what of R. FORD\nACTION:\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nDate:\nCHARLES B. RANGEL\nWAYS AND MEANS Drugs\nCOMMITTEE:\n19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT\nNEW YORK\nSUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT\nSUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE\n107 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nCongress of the United States\nTELEPHONE: 202-225-4365\nDISTRICT OFFICES:\n55 WEST 125TH STREET\nhouse of Representatives\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK 10027\nGEORGE A. DALLEY\nTELEPHONE: 212-348-1600\nADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n720 COLUMBUS AVENUE\nPLEASE RESPOND TO\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK 10025\nOFFICE CHECKED:\nTELEPHONE: 212-850-1500\nWASHINGTON\nNEW YORK\nNovember 4, 1976\nMS. VIVIAN JONES\nDISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR\nThe Honorable James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President for\nDomestic Affairs\nThe White House\nWashington, D.C.\nDear Mr Carnen:\nI have followed closely the President's pronouncements and\nactions in the renewed war against drug abuse. My general concern\nis that there appears to be a gap between the actions proposed and\nthe resources committed.\nSpecifically, I am distressed that the Narcotics Trafficking\nProgram (NTP) in the Internal Revenue Service has atrophied during\nthe last two years and that resources previously devoted to it have\nbeen diverted to other priority efforts in the Service. I am also\nconfused about the Service's position on structuring the NTP into a\nviable and identifiable organizational entity where devoted re-\nsources -- manpower and dollars -- can be easily counted and results\ncan be appropriately attributed. I am further concerned that IRS\npolicy-makers may place too much emphasis on revenue-producing\npotential when deciding relative priorities of various programs.\nI am aware that the IRS has a pending supplemental budget request\nunder review in OMB for $20.1 million which purportedly would provide\nample resources for an effective NTP. I would be happy to support a\nrequest for additional resources, if needed, and if the resources were\nclearly targeted toward suspected tax evaders involved in narcotics\nwho otherwise escape the arm of the law.\nI would appreciate your reaction to these concerns. I hope that\nyou and others in the Executive Branch will work together to bring\nabout an early and effective IRS contribution to a coordinated Federal\nattack on narcotics law offenders.\nCharlie CHARLES B. RANGEL\nSincerely\nMember of Congress\nCBR:ekb\ncc: James T. Lynn, OMB\nDonald C. Alexander, IRS\nCC: Dick Parsons\nHEALTH.\nOF\nPRICATION,\nMATMENT AMERICA\nDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE\nOFFICE OF THE SECRETARY\nU.S.A.\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20201\nshy\n+\n1976 NOV 25 PM I 53\nNOV 24 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE JAMES M. CANNON\nSUBJECT: FEDERAL STRATEGY FOR DRUG ABUSE AND\nDRUG TRAFFIC PREVENTION 1976\nThe Department has reviewed the final draft of the Federal Strategy\nfor Drug Abuse and Drug Traffic Prevention. We concur on the draft\ncurrently being considered.\nRobert L. DuPont, M.D.\nExecutive Director\nCabinet Committee on Drug Abuse\nPrevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation\n112601\nROC\n208\n24 NOV\nDEPARTMENT OF\n1976\nHEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE\nPUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE\nPOSTAGE AND FEES PAID\nALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF H.E.W.\nNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE\nHEW-389\nU.S.MAIL\n11400 ROCKVILLE PIKE\nROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852\nOFFICIAL BUSINESS\nPENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300\nHonorable James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nFor Domestic Affairs\nAMERICAN REVOLUTION EXCENTENNAL\nWhite House\nWashington, D.C.\n1776-1976\n82\nJustice Drugs.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nDecember 16, 1976\nDear Congres Charley sman Rangel:\nThank you for your letter of November 4, concerning the\nNarcotics Trafficking Program of the Internal Revenue\nService.\nAs you know, the President agrees with you concerning\nthe importance of this program in dealing with high level\ndrug traffickers. Accordingly, at his direction the IRS\nand the Drug Enforcement Administration have signed a\nMemorandum of Understanding under which the names of 375\nsuspected drug violators have already been provided to\nthe IRS for follow-up audit if appropriate. In short,\nthe program is now underway.\nAs for budgetary resources, the pending FY 1977 supplemental\nis now being reviewed along with the FY 1978 budget. In\nlight of the importance of this program, I feel certain\nthat the President's January budget recommendations will\ncontain adequate funds to enable the IRS to carry on a\nvigorous attack against narcotic traffickers.\nOn behalf of the President, I want to thank you for your\ncontinued interest in and support of this vital program.\nSincerely,\nJhin James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nThe Honorable Charles B. Rangel\nU.S. House of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nACTION\nDOMESTIC COUNCIL\nFROM:\nParsons\nSUBJECT:\nLetter to you from Cong. Rangel re:\nwar on drugs\nDate: 12/15\nCOMMENTS:\nParsons prepared the attached letter which I\nmodified as indicated. Do you know what\nbudget decisions were made on this\n(i.e. to make sure your statement re: budget\nis correct) ?\nA.\nLIBRARY\nACTION:\nDate:\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\n976 DEC 15 AM 11 50\nJim -\nPer your request,\na draft response to\nRangel's letter is\nattached.\nDick\n161505\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nDecember 15, 1976\nDear Congressman Rangel:\nThank you for your letter of November 4 concerning the\nNarcotics Trafficking Program of the Internal Revenue\nService.\nAs you know, the President agrees with you concerning\nthe importance of this program in dealing with high level\ndrug traffickers. Accordingly, at his direction the IRS\nand the Drug Enforcement Administration have signed a\nMemorandum of Understanding under which the names of 375\nsuspected drug violators have already been provided to\nthe IRS for follow-up audit if appropriate. In short,\nthe program is now underway.\nAs for budgetary resources, the pending FY 1977 supplemental\nis now being reviewed along with the FY 1978 budget. In\nlight of the importance of this program, I feel certain\nthat the President's January budget recommendations will\ncontain adequate funds to enable IRS to more vigorously carry on a\nvigorous press the attack against narcotic traffickers.\nOn behalf of the President, I want the to thank you for your\ncontinued interest in and support of this vital program.\nSincerely,\nJames M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President\nfor Domestic Affairs\nThe Honorable Charles B. Rangel\nUnited States House of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nDATE: 11/15\nTO: Dich P\nFROM:\nALLEN MOORE\nSUBJECT:\nACTION:\nFYI:\nfor droft reply, or\nother action if appropriate.\nCHARLES B. RANGEL\nCOMMITTEE:\n19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT\nWAYS AND MEANS\nNEW YORK\nSUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT\nSUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE\n107 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nCongress of the United States\nDISTRICT OFFICES:\nTELEPHONE: 202-225-4365\n55 WEST 125TH STREET\nhouse of Representatives\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK 10027\nGEORGE A. DALLEY\nTELEPHONE: 212-348-1600\nADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n720 COLUMBUS AVENUE\nPLEASE RESPOND TO\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK 10025\nOFFICE CHECKED:\nTELEPHONE: 212-850-1500\nWASHINGTON\nNovember 4, 1976\nMS. VIVIAN JONES\nNEW YORK\nDISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR\nThe Honorable James M. Cannon\nAssistant to the President for\nDomestic Affairs\nThe White House\nWashington, D.C.\nDear Mr Cannen:\nI have followed closely the President's pronouncements and\nactions in the renewed war against drug abuse. My general concern\nis that there appears to be a gap between the actions proposed and\nthe resources committed.\nSpecifically, I am distressed that the Narcotics Trafficking\nProgram (NTP) in the Internal Revenue Service has atrophied during\nthe last two years and that resources previously devoted to it have\nbeen diverted to other priority efforts in the Service. I am also\nconfused about the Service's position on structuring the NTP into a\nviable and identifiable organizational entity where devoted re-\nsources -- manpower and dollars -- can be easily counted and results\ncan be appropriately attributed. I am further concerned that IRS\npolicy-makers may place too much emphasis on revenue-producing\npotential when deciding relative priorities of various programs.\nI am aware that the IRS has a pending supplemental budget request\nunder review in OMB for $20.1 million which purportedly would provide\nample resources for an effective NTP. I would be happy to support a\nrequest for additional resources, if needed, and if the resources were\nclearly targeted toward suspected tax evaders involved in narcotics\nwho otherwise escape the arm of the law.\nI would appreciate your reaction to these concerns. I hope that\nyou and others in the Executive Branch will work together to bring\nabout an early and effective IRS contribution to a coordinated Federal\nattack on narcotics law offenders.\nCharlie CHARLES B. RANGEL\nSincerely\nMember of Congress\nCBR:ekb\ncc: James T. Lynn, OMB"
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