NCJ Number
65275
Date Published
1980
Length
147 pages
Annotation
IN 1979 THE COMMITTEE FOCUSED ON TREATMENT AND PREVENTION ISSUES, INCLUDING HEALTH EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA, ADDICTION BY WOMEN TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
Abstract
THE ANNUAL REPORT DESCRIBES THE JURISDICTION, AUTHORITY, AND PERSONNEL OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL. SUMMARIES OF ALL HEARINGS AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE PRESENTED. INQUIRIES INTO DRUG ABUSE CONTROVERSIES INCLUDED AN EXAMINATION OF THE RESEARCH DATA ON THE EFFECTS OF PARAQUAT-SPRAYED MARIJUANA AND THE DAMAGE CAUSED BE SMOKING COCAINE. THE COMMITTEE DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION TO THE ILLEGAL SALE AND OVERPRESCRIPTION OF LEGAL DRUGS. HEARINGS ON DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ILLUSTRATED THE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE UNRESTRICTED SALES AND ADVERTISING OF THESE ITEMS. CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED OVER THE FEDERAL EMPHASIS ON ENFORCEMENT AND DECREASE IN FUNDS FOR EDUCATION AND PREVENTION. IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL, CONGRESS WAS PERSUADED TO TIE THE U.S. CONTRIBUTION TO EFFORTS OF OTHER NATIONS. THE COMMITTEE CONCURRED WITH A GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) REPORT THAT DRUG PROBLEMS PERSIST DESPITE U.S. EFFORTS BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS PROFITS INVOLVED, THE EASE WITH WHICH DRUGS ENTER THE U.S., AND THE LACK OF A COORDINATED FEDERAL DRUG STRATEGY. SINCE THE ABOLITION OF THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF DRUG ABUSE POLICY, THE COMMITTEE HAS URGED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL ORGANIZATION TO FORMULATE DRUG POLICY AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION. THE COMMITTEE ALSO ESTABLISHED SEVERAL TASK FORCES WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS. SPEECHES MADE BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS AND SEMINARS ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. ALSO COVERED ARE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA AND A STAFF STUDY ON U.S. BUREAU OF PRISONS UTILIZATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND OTHER DRUGS. COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS AND NEWS RELEASES ARE LISTED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE GAO REPORT ON THE DRUG TRADE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FEDERAL AGENCIES IN THE FIELD OF DRUG ABUSE, AND AN EDITORIAL FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION'S DIRECTOR. (MJM)