NCJ Number
95841
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1984) Pages: 330-346
Date Published
1984
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Scotland's Solvent Abuse Act of 1983 is an unnecessary piece of legislation.
Abstract
Both the police and the children's hearing system have found existing legislation sufficient to deal with cases of glue sniffing and other forms of solvent abuse. Police officers questioned have a decidedly negative view of the law, which has had a negligible impact on police practice. Accurate data on solvent abuse are not available, since most crime is not recorded. However, the available data show that a spate of referrals has not occurred since the Act's passage, as had been feared. Police officers view the apathy and lack of followup by other agencies as a reason for the underrecording. Officers do not view warnings by police to be an effective method for dealing with solvent abuse. Over two-thirds of the 25 constables questioned saw health education programs as the most beneficial course of action. Irresponsible parents and undesirable friends were regarded as the most important contributory factors in solvent abuse. The eight chief constables in Scotland were also asked for data and comments regarding solvent abuse. None stated that the 1983 Act had any impact on force policy. Data tables and 42 references are included.