Normally Dr. Jaffe would have appeared before you today to discuss this appropriation amendment, but prior commitments associated with his transition to Federal service made it impossible for him to be here at this time. Since Dr. Jaffe's staff consists, for the moment entirely of himself and since the Office of Management and Budget is assisting Dr. Jaffe is planning for and setting up his new office, I will, with your indulgence, substitute for him today in the presentation of the salary and expense estimates for this new office for fiscal 1972.

OFFICE CREATION: PENDING LEGISLATION AND INTERIM ACTION

On June 17, 1971, the President sent to the Congress a bill calling for the creation of a new special action office for drug abuse prevention. The office of the same name established by Executive Order 11599 is intended as an interim measure which meets the need for urgency in this area and gives Dr. Jaffe a base from which to begin his vital work.

OFFICE ROLE: OVERALL STRATEGY FOR DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

In his message of June 17, 1971, the President outlined the need for the special action office to develop an overall strategy for drug abuse programs to attach what can only be described as an emergency condition demanding an urgent and effective response. The President defined the role of the special action office as follows:

the Special Action Office would develop overall federal strategy for drug abuse prevention programs, set program goals, objectives and priorities, carry out programs primarily through other federal agencies, develop guidance and standards for operating agencies, and evaluate performance of all programs to determine where success is being achieved.

It would extend its efforts into research, prevention, training, education, treatment, rehabilitation, and the development of necessary reports, statistics, and social indicators for use by all public and private groups.

TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

The special action office will operate in a unique fashion. It is conceived to be a relatively small but highly qualified team of technical and management people who will plan and direct a range of Federal programs to be carried out by others.

It will be a special project office which is given strong directive authority and funding control to carry out a set of specific objectives within a definite period of time.

BUDGET REQUEST

Of the $3 million for necessary salary and expenses requested for fiscal 1972, we have tentatively determined that $1,799,325 will cover personnel compensation and benefits with the balance $1,200,675 going for support and administrative costs.

PERSONNEL

Since the objectives of the special action office are "time critical" we are predicting a rapid buildup to the first year-end strength of 120. As we see it, we will try to have up to 85 percent of our professional

and 90 percent of our nonprofessional staff on board within 3 months. On this basis, our estimated personnel costs break down as follows: (A) The Executive staff which includes the Director, the Deputy, the Assistant Directors and the excepted positions for a total of 10 persons will come to $300,000.

(B) The 65 professionals, which covers our technical staff such as doctors, psychologists, sociologists, et cetera, as well as our policy, planning, and evaluating positions such as program managers, lawyers, economists, et cetera will cost $973,750.

(C) The 45 nonprofessionals are estimated at $362,000. This covers our clerical support, contract specialists, budget analysts and other administrative support.

(D) The remaining $163,575 provides for personnel benefits including overtime.

SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Our support and administrative costs break down as follows:

One, travel is budgeted at $180,000. While this may seem high at first, it reflects our belief that the special action office personnel will have to keep in close and continuing touch with the programs as they are being implemented.

We do not plan any substantial field organization, and much of the necessary program evaluation will be done by the central staff.

(2) We estimate that $735,425 will be required for contracts. This amount includes funding for computer software development and equipment rental in connection with the sizable information collection, analysis and dissemination effort anticipated for the National Data Center. It also covers support service contracts, special studies, and other administrative technical assistance.

(3) The remaining $285,250 covers the usual range of administrative expenses including such items as printing, telephone service, supplies and equipment and so on. It provides for start-up costs in connection with the initial equipping of the office. We are planning to obtain office space through the General Services Administration.

Appropriate schedules in the proper form have been prepared and will be submitted for the record.

NECESSARY TENTATIVE ESTIMATES

In closing I would again thank the committee for its expeditious scheduling and consideration of this item and also underscore, as I have tried to during the course of my formal statement, that the estimates at this point have a certain tentative quality to them recognizing the fact that we are just setting up the office and obviously some marginal changes will probably be required.

But it seems to us that this provides a plan and justification in sufficient details so that the Congress and this committee might scrutinize it accordingly.

Thank you.

Senator MONTOYA. Thank you, Mr. Weber.

You are only presenting the justification for the $3 million requested for the Executive Office.

Mr. WEBER. Yes, sir.

Senator MONTOYA. Who is going to present the evidence with respect to the balance of $25.6 million?

Mr. WEBER. That will be provided by the appropriate agencies. I see we have here Assistant Secretary Rossides of the Justice Department.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11599

Senator MONTOYA. Do you have a blueprint for action and the work that will be done and the objectives sought by these people who are going to be constituting the staff of the Special Action Office?

Mr. WEBER. The functions of the Special Action Office are outlined in Executive Order 11599 which I will provide for the record. Senator MONTOYA. That will be made a part of the record at this time.

(The Executive order follows:)

THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11599

Establishing a Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention,

Drug abuse has assumed alarming proportions in recent times and its spread must be reversed forthwith. I have sent a special message to the Congress urging the prompt enactment of legislation creating a new Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention within the Executive Office of the President. This office will mobilize and concentrate the comprehensive resources of the Federal Government in an all out campaign to meet this threat. However, immediate action must be taken to place the leadership of our drug abuse effort under a single official who will coordinate existing Federal drug abuse programs and activities, and develop plans for increasing our future efforts.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE

SECTION 1. There is hereby established in the Executive Office of the President a Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention. The Office shall be under the immediate supervision and direction of a Director, who shall be designated by the President.

FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR

SEC. 2 (a) The Director shall be the special representative of the President with respect to all Federal drug abuse training, education, rehabilitation, research, treatment, and prevention programs and activities (exclusive of law enforcement activities and legal proceedings).

(b) The Director shall prescribe policies, guidelines, standards, and criteria for the maximum achievement of the goals and objectives for those programs and activities. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Federal officers and Federal departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Director in carrying out his functions under this Order and shall comply with the policies, guidelines, standards, and procedures prescribed by the Director pursuant to this subsection.

(c) In addition, the Director shall

(1) develop comprehensive plans and programs to combat drug abuse including goals and objectives therefor;

(2) assure that all Federal drug abuse programs and activities are properly coordinated;

(3) evaluate all such programs;

(4) advise the heads of departments and agencies of his findings and recommendations, when appropriate;

(5) make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning proposed funding of drug abuse programs;

(6) establish a clearing house for the prompt consideration of drug abuse problems brought to his attention by Federal departments and agencies and by other public and private entities, organizations, agencies, or individuals; and

(7) report to the President, from time to time, concerning the foregoing.

ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 3 (a) Expenses of the Special Office for Drug Abuse Prevention shall be paid from the appropriation under the heading "Special Projects," in the Executive Office Appropriation Act, 1971, or any corresponding appropriations which may be made for subsequent fiscal years or from such other appropriated funds as may be available therefor.

(b) The General Services Administration shall provide, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative services and facilities for the Director and the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention as the Director may request.

[FR Doc.71-8778 Filed 6-18-71;12:05 pm]

NOTE: For the text of the President's Message to the Congress requesting legislative authority and funds, and related remarks, see Weekly Comp. of Pres. Docs., Vol. 7, No. 25, issue of June 21, 1971.