NCJ Number
119466
Date Published
1989
Length
149 pages
Annotation
Based on a review of past Federal efforts to control the distribution and use of illegal drugs, this report details the current drug abuse problem and proposes national priorities for criminal justice efforts, treatment, education, community action, workplace programs, research, and intelligence.
Abstract
An introduction notes that although a national survey has shown that the reported use of any illegal drugs dropped 37 percent between 1985 and 1988, the problem is getting worse as a result of crime, fear of crime, health impacts, impacts on the economy, social and political disruptions in other countries, and the ready availability of illegal drugs. The problem of cocaine and crack in the nation's cities is particularly acute. However, legalizing drugs would be a national disaster, and any significant relaxation of drug law enforcement would promise more use, more crime, and more trouble for needed treatment and education efforts. The criminal justice system should be tougher on drugs, but drug use is not an exclusively criminal issue. The proposed strategy emphasizes both supply reduction and demand reduction. It increases Federal funding to States and localities for law enforcement, increases funding for other criminal justice and treatment efforts, promotes policies and programs for prevention and workplace efforts, provides assistance to disrupt international drug trafficking, promotes an information-based approach to interdiction efforts, and supports added research and intelligence activities. Lists and discussions of specific strategies and funding and appendixes listing quantified objectives, resource requirements, recommended State legislation, lists of information sources, and related materials are included.