NCJ Number
15095
Date Published
1974
Length
79 pages
Annotation
AN EVALUATION OF AN LEAA PILOT CITY'S DRUG ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM'S COMPLIANCE WITH A GRANT OBJECTIVE TO REDUCE THE AVAILABILITY OF ILLICIT DRUGS.
Abstract
THE INCREASED ENFORCEMENT PROVIDED BY THE ADDITION OF THREE VICE CONTROL OFFICERS WAS EXPECTED TO DECREASE THE QUANTITY OF DRUGS, THE NUMBER OF SELLERS, AND THE SELLERS' WILLINGNESS TO SELL TO NEW CUSTOMERS. AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE SELLING PRICE OF THE DRUG, THE TIME IT TAKES THE USER TO FIND A WILLING SELLER, AND THE PERCEIVED RISK TO USERS. THE METHODS USED TO ESTIMATE THE AVAILABILITY OF DRUGS INCLUDED THE ESTIMATES OF AN INFORMED PANEL OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THE RESULTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WAS GIVEN TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONCERNING DRUG AVAILABILITY, AND DISCUSSIONS THAT WERE HELD LOCAL 'KNOWLEDGEABLES' CONCERNING THE QUALITY OF ILLICIT DRUGS BEING SOLD AND THE NUMBER AND DURATION OF PANICS RESULTING FROM TEMPORARY HEROIN SHORTAGES. SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THIS EVALUATION INDICATE THAT HEROIN AVAILABILITY (WHICH THE VICE CONTROL BUREAU WAS CONCENTRATING ON) DECLINED, WHILE THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER DRUGS EITHER REMAINED THE SAME OR INCREASED. DRUG CONFISCATIONS FOR EACH MANMONTH OF EFFORT ROSE FROM 373 DOLLARS TO 789 DOLLARS UNDER THIS PROGRAM. THE QUALITY OF ARRESTS ALSO IMPROVED AS DID THE CONVICTION RATES. FURTHERMORE, THIS ENTIRE CHANGE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE ADDITION OF THE THREE VICE-CONTROL OFFICERS AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE 10, 000 DOLLARS OF 'BUY' MONEY (USED TO OBTAIN DRUGS FROM SELLERS TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE) RPOVIDED BY LEAA. QUESTIONNAIRES AND STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED IN THE APPENDIXES. CHARLOTTE (NC), MECKLENBURG COUNTY (NC)