NCJ Number
133795
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 65-87
Date Published
1990
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Using a previously unpublished industry survey of the illegal drug industry as conducted in Victoria in 1981, this article reviews the structure of the black market to address the question of decriminalization or legislation with regard to the increase in users under a more regulated market.
Abstract
The Victoria data, which has the insider advantage of knowledge of the level of the flow of heroin in the network, confirms recent findings that there are relatively large numbers of occasional users who seldom come to the attention of medical or law enforcement authorities and whose heroin use per se imposes little cost on society. The survey data and ensuing analysis argue for some degree of regulation for the supply of heroin and abandonment of the unsuccessful policy of prohibition. 5 notes, 5 tables, 28 references, and 1 appendix