The administration proposes spending $9.7 billion on the drug war, 41 percent more than it spent in fiscal year 1990. The budget authorizes a 12 percent spending increase, to $10.6 billion, which would be spent in future years.
The proposal includes substantial increases in spending for every agency involved in anti-drug efforts. The basic strategy remains the same as last year, with spending weighted in favor of law enforcement, which receives 71 percent of the total authorized funds.
Federal law-enforcement agencies would spend $3.8 billion on anti-drug efforts in 1991, a 52 percent increase over last year. Of that, the Drug Enforcement Administration would receive $700 million, a $151 million increase over 1990 and one of the largest increases in the agency`s history.
State and local law enforcement authorities would be eligible to receive up to $648 million for drug programs, a 76 percent increase. The states will be required, however, to adopt drug-testing programs throughout their criminal justice systems to be eligible for the funds.
International efforts include $1.98 billion for air, land and sea interdiction, a 16 percent increase, and $417 million for aid and other assistance, a 56 percent increase.
If Peru and Bolivia demonstrate cooperation in the drug war, they could receive up to $440 million in aid next year.
Spending on treatment and prevention programs would increase 45 percent to $1.66 billion. The amount includes a tripling of funds available for treating ”crack babies” to $6 million, and an 11 percent increase in funding available for drug-treatment grants to the states, to $760 million.
The adminstration proposes spending $1.17 billion on drug-prevention programs, a 42 percent increase over 1990.