NCJ Number
155302
Date Published
1992
Length
231 pages
Annotation
This analysis attempts to understand the current drug crisis in the U.S. in all its aspects; the general perception of the crisis as well as its genuine substance; the persistence of illegal drug users in the face of the so-called war on drugs; and the imperviousness of the public, press, and policymakers to professional criticism of the current efforts to stem the use of illegal drugs.
Abstract
The central thesis of the book is that illegal drug usage is rooted in Americans' pervasive use of legal drugs. The author argues that the line between legal and illegal is crossed so often because taking a drug is entirely compatible with standard American values and social practice. The second section discusses factors that should be mitigating the drug crisis -- treatment, education, prevention, and enforcement programs -- as well as the reasons why they are failing to do so. The final section uses historical and cross-cultural data, as well as recent research findings, to discuss the interacting effects of drug usage and drug policy. The conclusion drawn here is that rather than being within the purview of local police forces and Federal agencies, the problem of substance abuse should be within the realm of professionals who understand its causes and can prescribe appropriate treatment programs. Chapter notes and 157 references