Crowding Crisis: A National Epidemic (From State of Corrections: Proceedings of ACA Annual Conferences, 1989, P 102-103, 1990, Ann Dargis, ed. -- See NCJ-122583)

• NCJ Number: 122598
• Author(s): T Maloney
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 2 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Federal government has launched a national war on drugs in response to the sharp increase in drug law offenses, but this war consists only of rhetoric so far and does not recognize the central role of corrections in addressing the drug problem.

Abstract

Thus, prisons and jails are crowded with drug law offenders, but the war on drugs is being conducted only by the Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Agency. However, United States Attorney General Thornburgh has said that law enforcement alone cannot win the drug war. Nevertheless, nearly all the government funding has focused on drug law enforcement. The effect of the enforcement efforts has been a small reduction in the market price of drugs. However, the number of regular cocaine users has increased by 33 percent since 1986. Thus, corrections must be recognized as the "front line" in the war on drugs.