NCJ Number
126017
Date Published
1990
Length
148 pages
Annotation
Pennsylvania's PENNFREE program doubles State resources for a war against drug abuse that includes expanded law enforcement, treatment programs, and drug education in all public schools.
Abstract
The program allocates $37.7 million for law enforcement, $20 million for school and community-based drug education, and $32.7 million for drug treatment and prevention during the first year. The program is directed to an estimated 1.2 million Pennsylvania men, women, and children who are addicted to crack, cocaine, alcohol, and other drugs. The program also targets those who are at risk of becoming addicted. PENNFREE is the result of public forums in every region of the state. Over 230 witnesses provided testimony, including treatment specialists, addicts, police and prosecutors, teachers and students, prison wardens and inmates, grandparents and teenagers, physicians and nurses, persons with AIDS, and the homeless. The program's law enforcement priorities include local police drug task forces, mobile narcotics teams at the State police level, informant and drug "buy" money, witness protection, grants to urban police, drug investigations and prosecutions, a new State prison, and probation and parole programs that help drug offenders remain drug-free. Education priorities encompass school-based education through grade 12, community and grass roots drug prevention efforts, student assistance in junior and senior high schools, and outreach services for intravenous drug users at risk of contracting AIDS. Treatment priorities focus on local needs; long-term residential treatment; and protection for children and their families, the homeless, and victims of drug and alcohol abuse. Illustrations and photography.