Testimony for Scott Burns
Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee
May 17, 2007
Introduction
Chairman Dorgan, Vice-Chairman Thomas, and Members of the Committee: Thank you
for the opportunity to testify today on law enforcement in Indian Country. I am Scott Burns the
Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (ONDCP); in addition, I serve as the chair of the Law Enforcement Task Force (LETF)
for the Administration’s Indian Affairs Executive Working Group (IAEWG). I will speak
specifically about the unique challenges regarding drug abuse and drug trafficking in Indian
Country and what the federal government is doing in conjunction with tribal governments to
combat these problems.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 directs ONDCP
to include Tribal Affairs in both the title and mission of ONDCP’s Office for State and Local
Affairs—now State, Local and Tribal Affairs. As a result, ONDCP has redoubled its already
strong commitment to reducing drug abuse in Indian Country.
ONDCP believes that a three pronged strategy of: 1) Stopping Drug Use Before it Starts;
2) Intervening and Healing Drug Users; and 3) Disrupting the Market, is critical to combat drug
abuse. ONDCP is engaged with Native American populations in initiatives that focus on all of
these areas. Although my testimony will focus on enforcement, or Disrupting the Market, I
would like to briefly highlight ONDCP’s prevention and treatment efforts as part of our
comprehensive strategy.
Last Updated: July 16, 2007
