NCJ Number
60943
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (SUMMER 1979) Pages: 311-316
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DERIVES AND OFFERS CONCLUSIONS FROM A LITERATURE REVIEW AND A STUDY OF NARCOTIC POLICE OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA DURING 1978 THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE CONTROL OF HEROIN ADDICT CRIME.
Abstract
THE LITERATURE INDICATES THAT HEROIN USE IN ITSELF IS NOT INEVITABLY ADDICTIVE. AND THERE IS NO ACTUAL PROOF THAT HEROIN USE CAUSES CRIME. THE CRIMINALITY OF ADDICTS PRECEDES THEIR HEROIN INVOLVEMENT, CONTINUES WHILE THEY ARE ADDICTS, AND USUALLY DECLINES WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER ADDICTS. CRIMES COMMITTED BY HEROIN ADDICTS ARE HEAVILY WEIGHTED TOWARD ACQUISITIVENESS, INCLUDING INCOME-GENERATING CRIMES SUCH AS ROBBERY AND OTHER INSTRUMENTAL CRIMES OF VIOLENCE. IN CALIFORNIA, THE ADDICT CRIMINAL GROUP CONSTITUTES AN ESTIMATED 0.5 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION. NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT PER SE IS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE WITH REGARD TO ITS DRUG SUPPLY IMPACT, ADDICT BEHAVIOR, AND CRIME TRENDS. NINE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING POLICE INTERVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT ARE OFFERED: (1) STATE AND LOCAL NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION UNITS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED; (2) POLICE RESOURCES ENGAGED IN NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO DIRECT CRIME CONTROL EFFORTS THAT ADDRESS NONDRUG INCOME-GENERATING CRIMES CHARACTERISTICALLY COMMITTED BY ADDICTS; (3) POLICE PATROL FORCES SHOULD HAVE AUGMENTED TRAINING, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT FOR STATUS OFFENSES; (4) ADDICTS ARRESTED SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A COMPLETE CRIMINAL HISTORY REVIEW; (5) NONCRIMINAL ARRESTEES SHOULD BE REFERRED TO AN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT OR COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY; (6) HEROIN USERS WITH RECORDS OF INDEX CRIMES AFTER SERVING PRIOR SENTENCES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION FOR POSSESSION OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, WITH SENTENCES INTEGRATED ACCORDING TO JUDICIAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES; (7) THE INCREMENTAL SYSTEM BUILT INTO JUDICIAL GUIDELINES SHOULD REQUIRE THAT A FIRST OFFENDER WITH A RECORD OF INDEX CRIMES BE PLACED ON PROBATION FOR A YEAR AND THAT A SECOND OFFENDER WITH A RECORD OF INDEX CRIMES AFTER SERVING THE FIRST SENTENCE FOR POSSESSION OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SERVE A SHORT PERIOD IN JAIL; (8) HEROIN MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE INSTITUTED AS A TREATMENT PROCEDURE; AND (9) DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS EVISION NO CHARGE IN LAWS REGARDING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND POSSESSION. THE IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS AND LEGISLATION IN CONTROLLING HEROIN ADDICT CRIME IS DISCUSSED. (DEP)