NCJ Number
158192
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1995) Pages: 491-524
Date Published
1995
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This paper assesses the global aspects of the Japanese drug problem and traces the historical antecedents of the current situation through pre-war, war, and post-war periods.
Abstract
The analysis of governmental and societal antidrug efforts is divided into six historical periods -- the pre-war period before 1931; the war period of 1931-1945; the narcotics and stimulants period of 1945-1954; the period of countermeasures in narcotics and stimulants of 1955-1959; the transition period of 1960-1968; and the current stimulant and cannabis period, beginning in 1969. The article identifies components of Japan's drug industry, including producers, traffickers, and consumers. Japan's antidrug campaign has been characterized by international and domestic legislative responses, criminal justice responses, societal responses, and rehabilitative and medical responses. The authors suggest that Japan's best option to control its drug problem would be to revive programs based on citizen volunteer groups and neighborhood associations, which rely on informal methods of social control. 24 notes and 182 references