§1707. Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center

(a) Establishment

There is established within the Office the Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center (referred to in this section as the "Center"). The Center shall operate under the authority of the Director of National Drug Control Policy and shall serve as the central counter-drug technology research and development organization of the United States Government.

(b) Director of Technology

There shall be at the head of the Center the Director of Technology, who shall be appointed by the Director of National Drug Control Policy from among individuals qualified and distinguished in the area of science, medicine, engineering, or technology.

(c) Additional responsibilities of the Director of National Drug Control Policy

(1) In general

The Director, acting through the Director of Technology shall-

(A) identify and define the short-, medium-, and long-term scientific and technological needs of Federal, State, and local drug supply reduction agencies, including-

(i) advanced surveillance, tracking, and radar imaging;

(ii) electronic support measures;

(iii) communications;

(iv) data fusion, advanced computer systems, and artificial intelligence; and

(v) chemical, biological, radiological (including neutron, electron, and graviton), and other means of detection;

(B) identify demand reduction basic and applied research needs and initiatives, in consultation with affected National Drug Control Program agencies, including-

(i) improving treatment through neuroscientific advances;

(ii) improving the transfer of biomedical research to the clinical setting; and

(iii) in consultation with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and through interagency agreements or grants, examining addiction and rehabilitation research and the application of technology to expanding the effectiveness or availability of drug treatment;

(C) make a priority ranking of such needs identified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) according to fiscal and technological feasibility, as part of a National Counter-Drug Enforcement Research and Development Program;

(D) oversee and coordinate counter-drug technology initiatives with related activities of other Federal civilian and military departments;

(E) provide support to the development and implementation of the national drug control performance measurement system; and

(F) pursuant to the authority of the Director of National Drug Control Policy under section 1703 of this title, submit requests to Congress for the reprogramming or transfer of funds appropriated for counter-drug technology research and development.

(2) Limitation on authority

The authority granted to the Director under this subsection shall not extend to the award of contracts, management of individual projects, or other operational activities.

(d) Assistance and support to Office of National Drug Control Policy

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, to the maximum extent practicable, render assistance and support to the Office and to the Director in the conduct of counter-drug technology assessment.

( Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title VII, §708, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–687 .)

Repeal of Section

For repeal of section on Sept. 30, 2003, see section 1712 of this title.