NCJ Number
118515
Editor(s)
O Trager
Date Published
1988
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This introductory overview and compendium of newspaper articles, columns, cartoons, and editorials published between 1986 and 1988 examine Federal legislation, law enforcement efforts and discussions regarding drug trafficking and other drug-related crime.
Abstract
The overview notes that in 1986 the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that as many as 80 percent of today's young adults had tried an illicit drug by their mid-20's. The rising use of crack cocaine, the government's self-declared "War on Drugs," and the growing prospect of employee drug testing have all contributed to the controversy. Drugs are related to crime in several ways. Some drugs are illegal, drug users often commit crimes to obtain the money to buy drugs, and organized crime is heavily involved in drug trafficking. To combat organized crime and drug trafficking the Reagan administration has reorganized the Drug Enforcement Administration and brought the FBI into the effort. First Lady Nancy Reagan has also led the "Just Say No" campaign. Despite the attention on the issue, the situation does not seem to be improving, however. The newspaper articles focus on crack cocaine, the "War on Drugs," Federal legislation targeting the problem of illegal drugs, the incidence of drug use among arrestees, and drug production and trafficking.