NCJ Number
102502
Date Published
1985
Length
457 pages
Annotation
Panel discussion and other communications submitted as part of House oversight hearings examine drug trafficking and drug law enforcement in the Washington Metropolitan Area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia).
Abstract
The major finding was that drug trafficking was a major, areawide problem, yielding an estimated annual income of $1.5 billion. Further both addicted and recreational use of drugs is areawide and crosses all ethnic, social, and economic boundaries. Finally, sentencing disparities between the District and the surrounding jurisdictions may be a factor contributing to the street distribution of drugs in the District. It was noted that local and Federal funding and manpower shortages limit the investigations needed to apprehend midlevel drug dealers. Recommendations to improve drug law enforcement efforts include: (1) establishment of a centralized drug chemical laboratory, (2) development of a uniform sentencing code in the area, and (3) implementation of an intense, long-range drug prevention and education program.