NCJ Number
134081
Journal
NarcOfficer Volume: 6 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 12,14-17,22
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article calls for the legalization of drugs, based on the author's experience as a Federal trial judge who has witnessed the futility of sentencing criminals convicted of drug law violations and who believes the criminal justice system is being overwhelmed by a social phenomena.
Abstract
Drug-related cases, like all criminal cases, are subject to speedy trial requirements for disposition within 10 weeks of indictment. Consequently, the prosecution of drug cases skews the rest of a judge's calendar. More importantly, however, the issue in drug legalization is one of control and responsibility. Government and laws exist to accomplish for citizens what they cannot accomplish for themselves. Drug offenders represent as much as 50 percent of the total court caseload. About 1 million people are in jail, and 750,000 drug arrests were made in 1989. In New York City, 40 percent of all felony indictments are for drug law violations. It is not cost-effective to continue to build jails to house the drug offender population. Instead, more money should be spent on research, educational, and treatment programs and specifically on prevention and rehabilitation. Answers to typically asked questions about drug legalization are provided.