NCJ Number
78302
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 150-159
Date Published
1981
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper presents an appraisal of identifiable effects of the Narcotic Addict Control Project administered by the Santa Barbara Police Department (California).
Abstract
The project provides countywide enforcement of provisions of criminal, health, and safety codes aimed against those who use or are under the influence of narcotic drugs. The analysis provides a test of the hypothesis that the jailing of active narcotic addicts reduces thefts and burglaries, and by implication, robberies, forgeries, and other crimes undertaken by addicts to support their addiction. This project covered a broad population, including rural areas of the county. Three separate evaluations were conducted to measure the project's impact. The evaluations measured burglary and larceny offenses prior to the project and during the project; compared property crime offense levels in Santa Barbara County, exclusive of those reported in the city, with those that would have prevailed if the project was not initiated; and compared countywide property offenses, including the city of Santa Barbara, with the level that would have occurred if the addicts incarcerated only included those apprehended by the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Task Force. Offense and enforcement data were provided by the staff of the Santa Barbara Police Department with the cooperation of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department and the police departments of the control cities. Evaluation results for each of the three tests are reported. The paper concludes that the project significantly affected both larceny and burglary offense levels in Santa Barbara County. Tables, footnotes, and five references are supplied.