CAUGHT IN THE CON-GAME - THE YOUNG, WHITE DRUG USER'S CONTACT WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 27955
• Journal: Law and Society Review Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 197-217
• Author(s): C R SANDERS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: Law and Society Assoc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

USING DATA COLLECTED BETWEEN 1967 AND 1970, THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES THE EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF YOUNG, WHITE DRUG USERS IN THEIR FIRST SERIOUS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

Abstract

THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE YOUNG RECREATIONAL DRUG USER PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH THE ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED ON A LARGE MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS THROUGH THE USE OF EXISTING DATA. THE DATA ON DRUG USER PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIETY AFTER ARREST AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WERE COLLECTED IN THE MAJOR NARCOTICS COURT OF A LARGE MIDWESTERN CITY. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE YOUNG, WHITE RECREATIONAL DRUG USER WITH ENFORCERS, LAWYERS, AND THE COURT SYSTEM, TEND TO REINFORCE HIS ORIGINAL PERCEPTIONS OF ENFORCEMENT. THEY SEE ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AS CYNICALLY JOB-ORIENTED, CORRUPT, AND ENGAGED IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY TO LEGITIMATELY HARASS THE DEVIANT YOUTH CULTURE. IN NONE OF THE INTERVIEWS WAS THERE AN INDICATION THAT THE CONFRONTATION WITH THE SYSTEM MADE THE USER RECONSIDER AND TOTALLY DISCONTINUE HIS DEVIANT BEHAVIOR.