NCJ Number
122553
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1990) Pages: 125-129
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The concept of a "war" on drugs is attacked for its professional approach which is said to threaten democratic precepts.
Abstract
The complex programming of the LEAA with respect to preventive detention, aversive conditioning, various forms of electronic monitoring, dealing with the pre-criminal, alternative sentencing, enormous expansion of computerized records on individuals, and actual deployment of military resources is criticized for infringing on liberty and privacy. It is noted that the concept of guilty property has sometimes implicated our government itself and that "zero tolerance" postures have taken drug seizures to the ridiculous. Shortcuts in the way government administration deals with the citizenry, sting operations, and drug testing in the workplace are used to illustrate a tendency towards disregard of human rights. It is questioned why a trend of establishing "czars" is necessary to accomplish the government's work when quality circles and other forms of participatory management are gaining acceptance in business. A search for alternatives to the war mentality is urged.