NCJ Number
155076
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (1994) Pages: 59-94
Date Published
1994
Length
36 pages
Annotation
Police drug crackdowns were examined with respect to how they could be evaluated more effectively by using more accurate measures of drug-related problems.
Abstract
The analysis included a series of quantitative case studies assessing six police drug crackdowns. The goals of the crackdowns were defined in terms of the reduction of specific problems, and the case studies were reviewed according to the degree to which specific drug-related problems were assessed. The analysis revealed that most of the data did not allow clear determinations of whether drug- related problems were reduced. Nevertheless, the findings can provide direction for future research in terms of addressing unanswered questions. The results indicated the need for more controlled studies of police drug crackdowns and for specific approaches to evaluating impacts on specific problems, including drug-related violence, property crime committed by drug users, the health of drug users, quality of life, preventing children from using drugs, and criminal justice system effects. Figure, table, notes, and 77 references