NCJ Number
57519
Date Published
1977
Length
60 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT ADDRESSES THE SOCIETAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO OPIATE DRUG USE AND OFFERS A NEW APPROACH TOWARD CONTROLLING THE DEMAND FOR, AND ABUSE OF, ILLEGAL NARCOTICS IN ARIZONA.
Abstract
ARIZONA'S HIGH PROPERTY CRIME RATE AND PROXIMITY TO THE MEXICAN BORDER ARE INDICATORS OF THE CONTINUING PROBLEMS IN THE STATE. THE 1975 UNIFORM CRIME REPORT INDICATED THAT ARIZONA HAD THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA PROPERTY CRIME RATE IN THE NATION. NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE RECOGNIZED THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PROPERTY CRIME RATES AND THE HEROIN ADDICT POPULATION. EXISTING EFFORTS IN DRUG ABUSE CONTROL INCLUDE DOMESTIC ENFORCEMENT OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO REDUCE THE SOURCE OF ILLICIT NARCOTICS, AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND IMPRISONMENT OF CONVICTED OFFENDERS. LIMITED DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE TO ADDICTS THROUGH STATE-FUNDED AND CIVILIAN PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE ESTIMATED STATEWIDE ADDICT POPULATION RECEIVES TREATMENT FROM THESE PROGRAMS ANNUALLY. NEW APPROACHES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM, THROUGH REVISED LEGISLATION, SHOULD PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITMENT OF CONVICTED DRUG USERS TO TREATMENT CENTERS. IN ADDITION, BY EMPLOYING FIXED ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS AND REQUIRING STRICT COMPLIANCE TO PROGRAM REGULATIONS, THESE NEW APPROACHES ATTEMPTS TO MAXIMIZE THE RETURN ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPENDITURES AND DECREASE THE NARCOTIC DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IN ARIZONA. INCLUDED ARE STATISTICS ON ARIZONA'S HEROIN ADDICT POPULATION, NARCOTIC-RELATED CRIMES, THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACT, THE SOURCE OF HEROIN, AND THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT TREATMENT CAPABILITIES WITHIN THE STATE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED --MJW)