NCJ Number
48623
Journal
British Journal of Addiction Volume: 72 Dated: (1977) Pages: 269-273
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEROIN MAINTENANCE CLINICS WHERE THE DRUG MAY BE LEGALLY BOUGHT IS DISCUSSED AS A MEANS OF REDUCING ACQUISITIVE CRIMES BY ADDICTS TO SUPPORT THEIR HABIT.
Abstract
PRESENT HEROIN PROHIBITION LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES IS VIEWED AS HAVING THE FOLLOWING CONSEQUENCES: THE CREATION OF A BLACK MARKET TO MEET THE DEMAND, LARGELY UNDER THE MONOPOLISTIC CONTROL OF ORGANIZED CRIME; HIGH PRICES FOR HEROIN; PROPAGATION OF AQUISITIVE CRIMES BY ADDICTS TO SUPPORT THEIR HABITS; A HUGE COST TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COURT PROCESSING; AND INCREASED PRICES PASSED ON TO THE PUBLIC BY MERCHANTS INCURRING LOSSES DUE TO THEFT BY ADDICTS. FEW, IF ANY, POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES ARE BELIEVED ACCOMPLISHED BY THE PRESENT DRUG LEGISLATION. IT IS PROPOSED THAT HEROIN BE DISPENSED THROUGH MAINTENANCE CLINICS AT REASONABLE PRICES, THUS PROVIDING ADDICTS WITH AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUPPORTING THEIR DRUG USE DIFFERENT FROM THE UNDERWORLD DRUG CULTURE. ACCESS AT REASONABLE PRICES WILL REDUCE THE NEED FOR ADDICTS TO STEAL IN ORDER TO BUY HEROIN. GREAT BRITAIN IS CITED AS A COUNTRY THAT HAS SUCCESSFULLY USED A METHOD OF CONTROLLING HEROIN. IN THE LAST 15 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF ADDICTS HAS INCREASED FROM 500 TO 1,500 IN GREAT BRITAIN. WHILE SOME THEORISTS SEE THIS AS EVIDENCE OF THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE SYSTEM, IT IS CONSIDERED IN FACT TO BE EVIDENCE OF A CONTAINMENT OF THE DRUG PROBLEM UNDER THE INFLUENCES FOMENTING INCREASED HEROIN USE. IN GREAT BRITAIN, THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE LITTLE CRIME INVOLVING ADDICTS AS A RESULT OF THE CLINICS. IN LIGHT OF THE FAILURE OF PRESENT U.S. LEGISLATION TO CONTAIN ADDICTION OR REHABILITATE THE ADDICT, WHILE CRIME AND INFLATION CONTINUE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT ANOTHER APPROACH BE PATTERNED AFTER THE BRITISH EXAMPLE. (RCB)