WINTF was formed to combat the open-air crack markets present in Wicomico and Salisbury Counties, which were scenes of drug abuse and violence. Despite the efforts of an initial task force put together in 1986, the crack markets continued to flourish in these communities. In 1987 the Maryland Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission provided grant funding to form WINTF, which includes the following law enforcement agencies: the Maryland State Police, the Salisbury Police Department, the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, and the Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office.

     Several programs also focused on drug abuse prevention and police community relations. They include the Community-Oriented Police Program, the Concentrated Enforcement Patrol, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the Phoenix Project, Roller, Street Life, and the TOP Strike Force.