NCJ Number
90410
Date Published
1982
Length
321 pages
Annotation
Testimony considers the extent and impact of drug abuse in the United States, with particular attention to such abuse in secondary schools, and U.S. policy designed to counter drug production and transit in foreign countries is examined.
Abstract
Representatives from Florida, the District of Columbia, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and various secondary school organizations testified on their knowledge of the extent of drug abuse in their jurisdictions and steps that have been effective in reducing it. All document drug use in epidemic proportions and cite aggressive, systematic law enforcement and public education about the negative effects of drug abuse as being effective in reducing such abuse. A number of witnesses noted the importance of eradicating both in this country and in foreign countries the plants used in the manufacture of illegal drugs. Administration witnesses explained the fundamental policies being applied in an effort to curtail the quantity of drugs produced and shipped from foreign countries. The policies focus on (1) acceptance by governments of producer and transit countries of their national responsibilities under treaties, (2) the need for international assistance from the wealthy and industrialized nations, (3) increased emphasis on crop control, and (4) insistence on linkage between narcotics-related economic assistance and agreements on reducing production. Attention was also given to tactics designed to counter illegal drug production and transit in particular countries. The appendix presents reports from staff missions to various countries and regions producing and trafficking in large amounts of drugs.