NCJ Number
183924
Date Published
1999
Length
309 pages
Annotation
This book considers the topic of substance abuse and control by recounting and analyzing the events leading to national prohibition in 1920, the enforcement of prohibition, and the more recent issues and trends regarding overall drug enforcement; the final section of the book proposes a new mission and role for modern prohibition enforcement agents.
Abstract
Although parts of this study involve events that happened more than a century ago, America's leaders and citizens are still challenged by the inherent difficulties that attend prohibition laws and their enforcement. Some key issues remain the same; for example, in the 1920's there were many illicit stills and distilleries; today, there are many clandestine drug labs that produce methamphetamine and crack cocaine. On the other hand, in the 1920's there was widespread disrespect for the liquor law; today, there is widespread support for law enforcement that effectively reduces the dangers related to the abuse of specified substances. The author contends that if public officials can successfully harness existing public support for drug law enforcement, a breakthrough can be achieved. He considers the problems encountered by enforcement officials in enforcing drug laws, the actions taken by local police and Federal officials, and the resulting consequences for both offenders and citizens in general. The work concludes with descriptions of a wide range of tasks for citizens to undertake in mitigating the drug problem. A new occupational title for some of the Nation's police is proposed: the Drug Control Police Specialist. The primary role of these specialists would be to seek out drug addicts in the community and refer them to the most appropriate treatment agencies and facilities. They would also serve as consultants to a wide variety of institutions who wish to participate in drug abuse prevention efforts. These specialists would operate in a systematic, proactive, and creative manner, helped by carefully screened and trained citizen police volunteers, who would work under the specialists supervision. 240 references, name and subject indexes, and appended summary of roles of Federal agencies and a list of New York City auxiliary police websites