SD30 - Task Force Study of Drug Trafficking, Abuse and Related Crime

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Virginia State Crime Commission
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 144 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
The Drug Study Task Force met in full and in subcommittee meetings 17 times during 1989. Fifteen findings, 48 recommendations and 65 activities, developed by the subcommittees, were adopted by the full task force and are included in the interim report as a plan of action for the task force in 1990. The 65 activities and their subparts are the catalyst for the five legislative bills, three budget amendments, one formal resolution, 25 administrative recommendations and support resolutions and 36 studies. A brief description and index of the aforementioned activities follows.

A. Legislation:

• Include all Schedule I and II drugs in the enhanced penalty for a second drug conviction (Code of Virginia § 18.2-248)

• Revoke driver's license when driver is convicted of a drug distribution scheme involving a vehicle (Code of Virginia § 18.2-248)

• Extend the penalty for distribution of drugs to a minor to persons convicted of involving a minor in drug distribution (Code of Virginia § 18.2-255)

• Extend the Safe School Zone law to include areas open to the public, and to cover after-school programs (Code of Virginia § 18.2-255.2)

• Allow joinder of trial of drug co-conspirators when certain conditions are met (Code of Virginia § 18.2-256)

B. Budget Amendments:

• Provide funds to purchase eight surveillance vans for local law enforcement drug investigations, totaling $440, 000 in the first year and $40,000 in the second year of the FY90-92 biennium (Law Enforcement Activity #7)

• Provide funds for the Department of Corrections to acquire four handlers, four drug detection dogs and the requisite training and supplies, not to exceed $300,000 for the FY90-92 biennium (Corrections/Treatment Activity #1)

• Provide funds for four full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the Department of Education Office of Youth Risk Prevention to facilitate school substance abuse education programs, totaling $167,657 in the first year and $174, 779 in the second year of the FY90-92 biennium (Education Activity #6)

• Provide funds for 48 FTE deputy sheriff positions to ensure that Drug Abuse Awareness Education (DARE) is available in every school district statewide, totaling $1,058,729 in the first year and $1,080,638 in the second year of the FY90-92 biennium. (Education Activity #9)

C. Formal Resolution:

• Request that the Board of Education amend general teacher certification regulations to require a substance abuse education course (Education Activity #15)

D. Administrative Recommendations and Proposed Studies: see full report for details