International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association

History

Formally chartered as an association under the laws of the State of New York in November 1960, the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association, Inc. (INEOA) has endeavored throughout its existence to promote and foster cooperation, discussion, and interest in the worldwide problems of narcotic trafficking and drug abuse. The aims of INEOA have principally been carried out through its annual training program and its publications.

The idea for the creation of INEOA came about in March 1958 at a meeting of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. The Bethesda Meeting, attended primarily by public health officials, physicians, lawyers, and social workers, also included several narcotic law enforcement officials. Various discussions took place at this meeting as to the best way to prevent narcotic abuse. The public health and social welfare representatives emphasized the medical and social aspects of the narcotic problem, while the law enforcement officials argued that the most effective way to deter the problem of illegal narcotic abuse is through the creation of tougher laws and their vigorous enforcement. After these discussions, it became evident to the narcotic officials in attendance that they needed to organize in order to expound on the principles and effectiveness of narcotic enforcement.

They envisioned the formation of an organization that would bring together narcotic enforcement officers from all levels of government, working in a cooperative effort to counteract the increasing problem of narcotic addiction. With the cooperation of Dr. Nathan Eddy (Chairman of the Drug Dependence Committee of the National Institutes of Health), John J. Bellizzi Sr., Director of the New York State Bureau of Narcotics, assembled a group of narcotic officers who were in attendance at the Bethesda Meeting and began planning towards the informal founding of the National Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

In October 1960, 25 representatives of various enforcement agencies met in Albany, New York, for the first conference of the recently established National Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. The Association was formally chartered by the State of New York as a membership organization the following month.

To help promote the idea of cooperation in order to effectively combat the challenges presented by illegal narcotics, Harry J. Anslinger, Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), issued a bulletin to all FBN Field Offices advising of the formation of the Association and providing details concerning membership.

With interest in the Association rising, many members, recognizing the international dynamic of illegal narcotics, actively solicited and received international support for the aims of the group. At the Association’s Third Annual Conference held in New York City, it was evident to the various narcotic enforcement officers in attendance that the Association had indeed attracted a substantial international interest in membership. To reflect this growing trend, FBN Commissioner Anslinger, Deputy FBN Commissioner Henry L. Giordano, and Charles Siragusa successfully recommended that the name of the Association be changed to the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

As INEOA developed, members acknowledged that the drug abuse problem involved not only law enforcement aspects, but medical, social, and psychological aspects as well. As a result, the Association actively enlisted the support and cooperation of professionals from these diverse fields. Having crossed over professional boundaries, the Association dedicated itself to the pursuit of a fully coordinated effort to combat the ravages of drug addiction.

Since the organization’s establishment, thousands of law enforcement officials have taken advantage of the training and educational resources provided by INEOA, with over 15,000 individuals becoming members since the Association’s inception. In addition to narcotic officers from all levels of government both in the United States and worldwide, individuals from the medical, scientific, and educational fields have joined, providing invaluable experience and knowledge from their respective areas of expertise. In addition to international agencies and organizations, INEOA claims members from a number of U.S. federal and state agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, various other agencies within the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as every branch of the U.S. armed forces.

INEOA is mindful of the connection between worldwide terrorist activities and the revenue derived from international drug trafficking. The international community is involved in a difficult battle against drug traffickers and narco-terrorists, which demands ongoing cooperation and vigilance from all concerned parties. INEOA continues to play a leading role in bringing individuals together who have the common goal of drug abuse prevention, and will continue to provide law enforcement officials with the training and education necessary for the successful eradication of illegal narcotics.

Purposes

The following are the purposes for which INEOA was organized:

To promote and foster mutual cooperation, discussion and interest in the worldwide problems of narcotic trafficking and drug abuse;

to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas;
to conduct seminars, conferences and research into educational methods for narcotic enforcement;
to organize discussion conferences and study groups, and
to issue publications.

To enlist as members of this Association persons who are engaged in the field of narcotic enforcement in the United States of America, its states, territories and possessions, and in other nations;

to seek improvement of international, national, state and local laws, police methods, administration of justice and enforcement of laws relating to narcotic enforcement

To assist the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

To enlist the cooperation of international law enforcement agencies for the purpose of improving and enhancing efforts in narcotic enforcement; and to promote international cooperation and understanding in combating drug abuse.