NCJ Number
158409
Date Published
1991
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Findings of this study indicate the war on drugs has not substantially reduced lethal violence, specifically homicide.
Abstract
The study covered the 1978-1990 period, and data on homicide rates were obtained from Uniform Crime Reports. Information on public and media focus on the drug war was also obtained from NEXIS. The study hypothesized that a get tough stance on drugs would lead to a reduction in drug use, a reduction in drug availability, an increase in drug prices, and a decrease in lethal violence. It became quite obvious that the drug war did not reduce homicide. Homicide rates showed periodic swings that the study could not predict or adequately explain. There was no real explanation of why homicide was high in 1974, lower through 1977, higher again through 1980, lower until 1985, and higher between 1985 and 1990. The relationship between homicide and drugs primarily involved drug trafficking. The one clearly positive change correlated with the drug war, however, was a continuing decline in drug use over the study period. Supplemental study data are appended. 31 references and 3 tables