What Is the Office of National Drug Control Policy?

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is the office in the Executive Office of the President that leads the national drug control effort and coordinates the National Drug Control Program agencies (21 U.S.C. 1702(a)). It develops and oversees the National Drug Control Strategy and the drug control budget.

Statutory role. ONDCP must lead the national drug control effort, coordinate and oversee implementation of national drug control policy, assess and certify the adequacy of drug control programs and their budget, and evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts (21 U.S.C. 1702(a)).

The Director. The Director assists the President in setting policies, goals, objectives and priorities for the National Drug Control Program, promulgates the National Drug Control Strategy and coordinates implementation by the program agencies (21 U.S.C. 1703(b)).

The Strategy. The President submits a National Drug Control Strategy to Congress by the first Monday in February following the year the President's term begins, and at two-year intervals after that. The Strategy sets out a plan to reduce illicit drug use and its consequences by limiting supply, reducing demand, and promoting prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support (21 U.S.C. 1705).

Scale. The White House says ONDCP coordinates across 19 federal agencies and oversees a $44 billion budget. It also funds the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and the Drug-Free Communities Program (White House ONDCP page).

Relationship to workplace testing. Federal workplace drug testing rules come from agencies such as DOT and HHS rather than from ONDCP's statutory duties in 21 U.S.C. 1702 to 1705. DOT rules are described in the FAQ on 49 CFR Part 40, and HHS cutoff levels are covered in the FAQ on SAMHSA cutoff levels. The FAQ on why workplace drug and alcohol testing is necessary explains the purpose of testing.

Programs. The FAQs on the Drug-Free Communities Support Program and on High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas cover those two ONDCP programs.