NCJ Number
35644
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE SPEAKER ON THIS TAPE, WHO HAS HAD EXPERIENCE IN KANSAS OPERATING DRUG INFORMATION CENTERS AND CONDUCTING STUDIES ON DRUG ABUSE, DISCUSSES THE VIOLENCE POTENTIAL OF DRUGS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG INFORMATION.
Abstract
DRUGS ARE RATED FOR THEIR VIOLENCE POTENTIAL FROM AMPHETAMINES (HIGH), TO ALCOHOL, BARBITUATES, NON-BARBITUATE SEDATIVES, MARIJUANA, AND HEROIN (LOW). IT IS POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THIS RANKING ONLY APPLIES TO DRUGS WHILE IN USE (HEROIN, FOR INSTANCE, IS INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ROBBERIES). PERSONALITY FACTORS AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES MAKE DRUG EFFECTS UNPREDICTABLE. OTHER MITIGATING INFLUENCES ARE SETTING, PEER PRESSURE, DOSAGE, TIMING, AND PURITY OF SUBSTANCE. ONE STUDY IS REPORTED THAT RATED THE SAFETY OF METHODS OF INGESTION BY USERS. SAFEST WAS SMOKING, THEN EATING, DRINKING, SNORTING (SNIFFING), AND SHOOTING (MOST DANGEROUS). USERS ALSO RATED THE RELATIVE HAZARDS OF DRUGS. VALIUM, ALCOHOL, ASPIRIN, AND HEROIN WERE RANKED FROM DANGEROUS TO LESS DANGEROUS, IN THAT ORDER. MUCH CRITICISM WAS FOUND TO BE DIRECTED AGAINST DRUG INFORMATION CENTERS, EVEN THOUGH ONE OF THE MOST PERSUASIVE ANTI-DRUG ARGUMENTS WAS FOUND TO BE THAT A DRUG WAS NOT ACTUALLY WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE (TRUE IN ABOUT ONE-HALF THE CASES). AS FAR AS DEALING WITH DRUGEXPERIENCED PEOPLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THOSE PERSONS WHO HAD NOT REPORTED ANY DRUG EXPERIENCE WERE 'TRUSTING', WHILE THEIR EXPERIENCED COUNTERPARTS TENDED TO BELIEVE DRUG EXPERIENCES, FRIENDS WITH DRUG EXPERIENCES, AND DRUG SCENE 'GOSPEL' TO THE DETRIMENT OF LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY. A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD FOLLOWS THE ADDRESS. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 35623-35627, 35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.