NCJ Number
77780
Date Published
Unknown
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article describes the present situation of stimulant drug abuse in Japan and its related problems.
Abstract
As a result of amendments made to the Stimulant Drugs Control Law of 1973, stimulant drug offenses decreased from 11,030 in 1973 to 7,635 in 1974. However, they increased to 13,287 in 1975 and to 23,711 in 1977, the largest number of the last 10 years. Smuggling cases increased to 102 in 1978, the highest during the last 10 years, with the majority of these cases being committed by gangsters. The drug offender under 20 years of age has been increasing in number and ratio. Of 17,740 offenders, 49.5 percent were unemployed, 11.5 percent were day-to-day workers, 2.4 percent were company employees, and 1.5 percent were housewives. Motives for using stimulants include curiosity and gambling. The ratio of newly admitted and readmitted prisoners for violation of the Stimulant Drug Control Law has also grown. Causes of the phenomenon are attributed to pleasure-seeking habits related to rapid economic growth, escapism among younger persons, and the existence of organized gangsters. Recommendations include heavier punishment for stimulant drug offenders, institutional treatment, smuggling prevention, and countermeasures to cope with stimulant drug crimes. Seven tables are given.