WAR ON NARCOTICS - THE STATE OF HOSTILITIES IN NEW YORK

• NCJ Number: 64221
• Journal: DRUG ENFORCEMENT Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: 6-9
• Author(s): R J MACGUIRE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Drug Enforcement Admin
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PROGRESS IN FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFIC, AND SUGGESTED INNOVATIONS FOR FUTURE COORDINATED POLICE INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED BY THE POLICE COMMISSIONER OF NEW YORK CITY.

Abstract

IN 1970, THE STANDARD HEROIN STREET SALE RATED 12-PERCENT PURITY AT $5 A BAG WHILE IN 1979, THE STANDARD STREET SALE RATED BETWEEN 1- AND 3-PERCENT PURITY AT $10 A BAG. IN 1970, OVER 50 PERCENT OF THIS NATION'S ADDICT POPULATION LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY, WHEREAS IN 1979 LESS THAN 25 PERCENT WERE IN NEW YORK CITY. ALSO, A 30-PERCENT REDUCTION IN HEROIN OVERDOSE DEATHS HAS OCCURRED IN THE CITY. LARGE NUMBERS OF MAJOR DRUG VIOLATORS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN NEW YORK, INCLUDING MANY ORGANIZED CRIME FIGURES. THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS OF PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP) ARE ENUMERATED, AS WELL AS PCP'S GROWING PREVALENCE IN THE DRUG CULTURE. ALTHOUGH BLACKS AND HISPANICS COMPOSE 36 PERCENT OF THE NEW YORK CITY'S POPULATION, THESE GROUPS REPRESENT 67 PERCENT OF THE ADDICT POPULATION. THE TOTAL COST OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM IN NEW YORK STATE IS $94 MILLION LESS THAN THE TOTAL COST OF RETAINING ADDICTS IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. NEW STRATEGIES ARE SUGGESTED FOR COMBATTING ORGANIZED DRUG TRAFFIC IN NEW YORK CITY. COORDINATED INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE UPGRADED, WITH CONDITION-ORIENTED RATHER THAN TARGET-ORIENTED EFFORTS DESIGNED TO EXPOSE AND ATTACK THE ILLEGAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT UNDERLIE CRIMINAL DRUG ENTERPRISE AND ALLOW THEM TO PROSPER. UNDERCOVER AGENTS MIGHT HAVE TO PENETRATE THESE ENTERPRISES AND REMAIN UNDERCOVER FOR YEARS. COURT-AUTHORIZED EAVESDROPPING MUST BE DESIGNED TO EXPOSE THE CHARACTER OF THE ILLEGAL BUSINESS AND NOT MERELY ESTABLISH EVIDENCE OF AN AD HOC CRIME. ALSO, PLEA-BARGAINING POLICIES OUGHT TO REFLECT A COMMITMENT TO THE BROAD INTELLIGENCE OBJECTIVES OF THIS NEW APPROACH. FINALLY, THE FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THESE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY STUDIED. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)