NCJ Number
104978
Date Published
1984
Length
59 pages
Annotation
Testimony from representatives of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Bureau of International Narcotics Matters (State Department), the Black Advisory Panel on Drug Abuse Policy, and the Benjamin Rush Center as well as experts on drug abuse treatment and prevention in the black community focuses on the trends and effects of alcohol and drug abuse among blacks.
Abstract
Witnesses review some of the efforts to curtail the supply of illicit drugs through interdiction efforts and international cooperation in attacking the drug supply at its source. The supply and demand for various types of drugs are reviewed, and witnesses note that although drug use among whites has leveled off and decreased somewhat, drug and alcohol abuse among blacks is increasing at an alarming rate. Some of the effects of this abuse are unstable employment, drug-related crime, widespread behavioral problems, school dropouts, and health problems. Some recommendations by witnesses include the Congressional Black Caucus' sponsoring of a national conference for black employers and other employers who use high percentages of blacks to encourage them to establish employee assistance programs designed to help employees deal with drug-related employment problems. Another recommendation is that the Federal employee's health insurance plan provide inpatient alcohol and drug treatment.