Objective: In 1988, Congress created the National Guard Counterdrug Program to allow National Guard units throughout the country to provide assistance in the war on drugs. This federally funded initiative authorized each state to establish a counterdrug program. Individual states were empowered to tailor their programs to meet the needs of the state as identified and prioritized by the Governor.

The mission of the Delaware National Guard Counterdrug Task Force(CDTF) is to provide counterdrug support to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies (LEA's) for the purpose of drug interdiction, and to support community based organizations (CBO's), including educational institutions, in the education of adults and youth on the negative effects of drug use. Our goal is to assist in reducing the distribution, trafficking and manufacture of illegal drugs, to assist in reducing drug related crimes and to increase public awareness of the harmful effects of drug abuse.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DELAWARE'S  COUNTERDRUG TASK FORCE PROGRAMS:

Supply Reduction

• Linguist Support

• Intelligence Analyst Support - Assist LEA's in establishment of Counterdrug intelligence/databases.

• Drug and Explosive Detection - IONSCAN support to LEA's as well as conducting operator training in the use of the IONSCAN.

• Mobile FireArms Training - Portable interactive weapons training device that can offer both judgmental (shoot/don't shoot) situations and basic marksmanship fundamentals in a controlled environment. This training is also offered at he National Guard's Bethany Beach Training Site in a fixed setting.

The Delaware National Guard Counterdrug Task Force can also provide Law Enforcement Agencies with access to local and regional Aviation Support, as well as vehicles for ground transportation support. Personnel and specialized equipment can also be provided to assist in visual reconnaissance and photographic observations.

Drug Demand Reduction

• Alternative Activity Support - Provide for the participation of target populations in activities that are free of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The view is that constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to activities that may be filled by the use of illegal drugs or the illegal use of legitimate drugs.

• Educational Demand Reduction Support - Provide activities that focus on educational institutions, or otherwise have an educational institution as the primary sponsor.

• Informational Demand Reduction Support - Provide information about drug abuse or drug abuse programs.

• Community Based Drug Demand Reduction Support - Provide assistance in the development of Community Based Organizations as well as support for existing CBO's organized to reduce the illegal use of legitimate drugs and the use of illegal drugs.

• Environmental Drug Demand Reduction Support - Provide assistance in the change of written and unwritten community standards, codes and attitudes.