NCJ Number
116858
Date Published
1988
Length
45 pages
Annotation
An overview of the drug problem and the U.S. Government's response to it is presented.
Abstract
The drug scene has undergone changes since 1980, with cocaine emerging as the drug of greatest concern. Heroin is more widely available, but marijuana use is declining. Synthetic designer drugs are increasing. Two key indicators used by the U.S. government to assess the prevalence of illegal drug abuse are the National Survey on Drug Abuse and the High School Senior Survey, both funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted periodically. The latest survey, conducted in 1985, projects that 70.4 million people (37 percent of the population over 12 years of age) have used an illegal drug at least once in their life and that 23 million (12 percent) are current users. This survey shows a downward trend from 1982 in the use of most drugs among youth (12-17 years) and young adults (18-25 years). The nationwide drug problem trends in the 1980's for cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other substances categorized as dangerous drugs are detailed, based on national surveys and information on drug trafficking trends. The views of local officials toward the drug problem in six major cities is discussed and Federal drug control efforts aimed at reducing supply and demand are described. Supply reduction components include international drug control, interdiction and border control, investigation and prosecution, intelligence activities, and diversion control. Demand reduction components encompass drug abuse prevention and treatment. Appendixes contain supplementary information of the Federal drug control effort. Tables and figures.