NCJ Number
139658
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1992) Pages: 159-171
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes a trend in drug enforcement in Great Britain toward the low-level policing of users and suppliers at the retail level of the market, so as to provide a context in which the emergence and development of low-level drug enforcement can be understood and future developments charted.
Abstract
One theme in the development of low-level drug enforcement in Great Britain is demand reduction, which includes enhanced policing of retail-level drug sites, sellers, and buyers. Another theme is disruptive and inconvenience policing. This involves making it more difficult and hazardous for drug users to purchase drugs, as police focus their resources on popular sites for drug transactions. The emphasis on low-level drug enforcement must, of necessity, include a diversion element, since the criminal justice system is not equipped to handle the massive numbers of users and sellers the police arrest. Diversion from court appearances and imprisonment is a requirement for such a strategy. Another theme in low-level drug enforcement in Great Britain is police reorganization. Reorganization has focused on greater autonomy for local police forces, so they have greater autonomy and freedom to develop innovative drug enforcement strategies. Other themes in low-level drug enforcement are interagency cooperation and the use of the media to gain greater public cooperation in the police effort. 8 notes and 21 references