Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, OK
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In 1953, the Oklahoma State Legislature passed the Uniform Narcotic Drug Act, which created a special division to enforce drug laws. The Division of Narcotics Enforcement was housed at the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office from 1953 to 1963. In 1964, the Legislature created the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics, which reported directly to the Governor. In 1968, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics was consolidated into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Recognizing the drug threats in Oklahoma, the Legislature funded the creation of a full-time narcotics unit. Initially, the unit was staffed with 10 narcotics agents; however, the funding and level of interest in drug enforcement declined by the early 1970's.
In response to emerging drug threats around the state, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Uniform Control Substances Act of 1971. The Act established the Office of the Commissioner of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. The Commissioner's Office, which was housed at the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, was responsible for the coordination of educational programs to prevent drug abuse and the collection of drug-related data. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation maintained original jurisdiction over the actual enforcement of drug laws in the state.
The threat continued to evolve, both in Oklahoma and across the nation. In response, the Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics in 1975. The Legislature appropriated sufficient funds to staff and equip the new agency. Over the years, OBN employees have responded to the ever-changing drug threats in Oklahoma. Today, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics continues to enforce drug laws, collect drug-related information, and educate citizens about drugs.
Agency Highlights
1975 - OBN created by Oklahoma Legislature
1989 - OBN developed the nation's first Aerial Marijuana Eradication Program
1990 - OBN created the nation's first electronic prescription data tracking program (OSTAR)
2004 - Oklahoma became the first state to control pseudoephedrine to address the methamphetamine lab epidemic
2006 - OBN modified OSTAR to track all prescription II-V drugs in the new Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
2011 - OBN implemented 2 new programs: Safe Trips for Scripts and the Meth Waste Container Program
2012 - Oklahoma Legislature mandated OBN to investigate human trafficking/money laundering
2012 - Oklahoma's PMP became first real-time system in the nation
2015 - Oklahoma Legislature mandated medical providers to check the PMP prior to prescribing controlled substances
2017 - OBN published the first comprehensive statewide drug threat assessment
2018 - OBN implemented two innovative programs: the Oklahoma Drug Threat Assessment Project and ODMAP