NCJ Number
125153
Date Published
1990
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The New York State Police Superintendent opposes the legalization of drugs, stating that legalization will increase the number of drug addicts and will not reduce crime.
Abstract
If drugs are legalized and experimentation increases, drug addiction will certainly increase. Lower prices on the street for crack cocaine have not eliminated drug-related prostitution, burglary, and robbery, proving that increased drug availability via legalization will not reduce crime. Further, there is more to drug-related crime than the violence committed by dealers in turf battles and the prostitution and theft committed by users to obtain money to buy drugs. In the past 10 years, child abuse and neglect cases in New York City have increased over 700 percent, almost all of which is directly related to increased drug addiction and abuse. The Superintendent believes the best weapon against drugs is education, including programs such as LEARN, DARE, and Scared Stiff. Arguments frequently cited in favor of and against drug legalization are noted, with commentary provided for each.