HEROIN SYSTEM - A GENERAL ECONOMY OF CRIME AND ADDICTION

• NCJ Number: 49996
• Journal: CRIME ET/AND JUSTICE Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 179-196
• Author(s): C D KAPLAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Ottawa
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: AN ABSTRACT IS INCUDED IN FRENCH

Annotation

A THEORETICAL STRUCTURE CALLED THE HEROIN SYSTEM IS PROPOSED TO RELATE THE CONTRADICTORY ASPECTS OF OPIATE USE IN AMERICA. THE EFFECT OF THIS SYSTEM ON DRUG-USER CHARACTERISTICS IS EXPLORED.

Abstract

THE HEROIN SYSTEM IS USED TO EXPLAIN THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BLACK MARKET, DRUG LAWS, AND DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE CRIMINAL ASPECTS OF HEROIN DISTRIBUTION WOULD NOT EXIST IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE ELABORATE NETWORK OF ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MAINTAINING THE PROFITABILITY OF THE BLACK MARKET. THE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT SYNDROME IS CONSIDERED RESPONSIBLE ALSO FOR THOSE CHARACTERISTICS MOST OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH HEROIN ADDICTION. THE STREET USER IDENTIFIES WITH THE DRUG SUBCULTURE AND FINDS A GROUP SOLIDARITY IN HEROIN USE. IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT DRUG LAWS AFFECT THE COMPOSITION OF POPULATIONS IDENTIFIED AS HEROIN ADDICTS, AND TO TEST THIS, DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM 1,682 ADDICTS INCARCERATED AT THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER IN 1971. IT WAS FOUND THAT VARIABLES AFFECTING INCARCERATION FOR DRUG USE, IN DESCENDING ORDER, RACE, SEX, SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS, STRENGTH OF ADDICTION, PAST CRIMINAL HISTORY, URBAN AS OPPOSED TO RURAL RESIDENCE, AGE, AND CRIMES COMMITTED WHILE AN ADDICT. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TYPICAL ADDICT IS A BLACK MALE ABOUT AGE 20 LIVING IN THE CITY. HOWEVER, THIS PICTURE CHANGES WHEN ONE EXAMINES ADDICTS WHO WERE NOT ARRESTED. STRONG ADDICTION MAY PUT A WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS ADDICT IN A PUBLIC TREATMENT FACILTY, BUT GENERALLY, THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE TREATED PRIVATELY. THE YOUNG WHITE ADDICT WHO IS ARRESTED IS USUALLY FROM THE WORKING CLASS WITH LIMITED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM OF HEROIN USE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY CANNOT BE SEEN AS AN INCIDENTAL ACT OF DEVIANTS, BUT RATHER MUST BE VIEWED AS AN INTEGRAL 'AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE' FOR SOME MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. THE ELIMINATION OF HEROIN USE MUST INVOLVE THE TRANSFORMATION OF BASIC STRUCTURES FUNDAMENTAL TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)