NCJ Number
28462
Date Published
1974
Length
128 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT DETAILS THE RECENT INEFFECTIVE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CONTROL DRUG ABUSE, AND SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, BASED ON THE ACTION-RESEARCH SYSTEMS APPROACH.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS CONTEND THAT DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG ADDICTION ARE SOCIAL PROBLEMS CREATED LARGELY BY UNENFORCEABLE LAWS AND INEFFECTIVE POLITICAL BUREAUCRACIES. USING NEW YORK CITY AS A CASE EXAMPLE, THE AUTHORS SHOW WHY THE CURRENT DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS HAVE FAILED, STRESSING THE UNWILLINGNESS OF BUREAUCRACIES TO GIVE CREDENCE TO RESEARCH. OTHER PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT APPROACHES NOTED IN THE TEXT ARE ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE GOALS, INEFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE, AND CONFUSION OF FACTS AND THEORY WITH QUESTIONS OF VALUE AND POLICY. AS A REMEDY TO THIS SITUATION, THE AUTHORS PROPOSE A MODEL FOR RATIONAL INTERVENTION. THE MODEL PROVIDES TWO PHASES: FIRST, A RESEARCH PHASE (SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMS DESIGN) AND, SECOND, A KNOWLEDGE-BASED INTERVENTION PHASE (SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT). DECRIMINALIZATION OF THE ADDICTS' BEHAVIOR AND FREEDOM TO ESTABLISH MORE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS ARE ALSO PROPOSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)