Summary: Since 1992, the Defense Department's level of support to combat drug-trafficking in Central and South America and the Caribbean has declined significantly. For example, the number of flight hours devoted to counterdrug missions fell 68 percent from 1992 through 1999. Likewise, the number of ship days fell 62 percent during the same period. According to the Southern Command, the lack of assets hurt their ability to respond quickly to changing drug-trafficking patterns. As a result, coverage in key drug-trafficking routes to the United States is lower, leaving gaps in detection. DOD acknowledges that its coverage of key drug-trafficking areas in South American and the Caribbean has gaps. DOD ascribes the decline in its support to the lower priority of the counterdrug mission as compared to others, such as war, peacekeeping, and training, as well as decreases in its overall budget and force structure during the 1990s. Despite the reduction in the level of assets that it provides, DOD believes that its overall operations are more efficient. Data to support this position is lacking, however. DOD faces several obstacles to helping the counterdrug efforts of foreign governments. GAO has repeatedly raised concerns about the limited capabilities of foreign military and law enforcement organizations to operate and repair the equipment and effectively use the training provided by DOD. Other concerns include human rights and intelligence sharing. Finally, DOD has a set of plans and strategies that directly supports the goals of the U.S. National Drug Control Strategy to reduce the demand and supply of illegal drugs. However, DOD lacks a set of performance measures to evaluate its counterdrug activities.
