NCJ Number
72031
Date Published
1980
Length
269 pages
Annotation
Testimony is provided from Georgia State and local law enforcement personnel and other citizens familiar with patterns of drug trafficking and abuse in Georgia regarding the extent of such trafficking and abuse and ways in which enforcement and prevention can be improved.
Abstract
The testimony indicates that with the crackdown on drug smuggling into South Florida, the coast and landing areas of Georgia are now being used by ships and airplanes bringing drugs from Latin America, notably marijuana from Colombia. A consequence of this has been an increase of marijuana use and abuse by youth. Persons involved in the drug trafficking include organized crime, which is largely responsible for the major drug shipments, and local people and other opportunists from across the country who sell the drugs in the State. The testimony revealed the use of sophisticated equipment and methods by the traffickers to avoid detection. The appeal of Georgia law enforcement officials is for technical assistance from the Federal Government and increased cooperation between State law enforcement, the Coast Guard, customs, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and the military in tracking drug-carrying ships and planes. The pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana use are discussed in the testimony, and the importance of educating youth about the dangers of such use is noted. Some tabular data are provided on Georgia law enforcement and prosecution activity in dealing with drug trafficking.