NCJ Number
82216
Date Published
1980
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This report presents hearing findings focusing on assessment of the extent of Southwest Asian heroin influx into the United States and on evaluation of how proposed funding cuts will affect treatment and prevention programs.
Abstract
In May 1980, the committee received testimony from representatives of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and State and private treatment prevention agencies. Testimony revealed that the combined opium production in the southwest Asian countries increased from an estimated 700 metric tons in 1978 to 1,600 metric tons in 1979. Heroin is more readily available on the East Coast then elsewhere in the United States. New York City is the gateway of heroin entering the country, and that metropolitan community has the largest heroin-user population in the United States. Nevertheless, the narcotics division of the New York City Police Department has been reduced by 27 percent since 1975. Therefore, the committee urges the Drug Enforcement Administration to assign additional agents to those metropolitan areas currently experiencing an increase in heroin availability. In addition, a statistician should be employed to prepare a valid data collection on all drug-related deaths in New York City. To save critical prevention and treatment needs, Congress must also restore the State Formula Grant funds currently proposed for elimination. If implemented, the budget cut would close countless treatment and primary prevention facilities throughout the country. Two appendixes and five figures are included.