NCJ Number
133706
Editor(s)
F Terry
Date Published
1991
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This policy statement of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) seeks to identify and endorse effective approaches to drug abuse prevention that are based on rational analysis and scientific research rather than on interdiction and punishment alone.
Abstract
The goal of NCCD is to promote a vigorous national dialogue and appropriate action on improved methods of promoting safer communities and extending justice to all Americans. Six policy recommendations are offered: (1) return sentencing to judges for persons convicted of drug possession and small-time drug dealing by repealing mandatory prison and jail sentencing laws for these offenses; (2) expand the number of drug treatment programs to allow treatment upon request; (3) increase the availability of methadone maintenance programs for heroin addicts; (4) develop effective drug education curricula in schools that focus on drug abuse prevention strategies; (5) reduce the violence associated with illegal drug traffic by restricting the manufacture, import, and sale of assault weapons; and (6) resist proposals to increase criminal penalties for the possession or use of marijuana. NCCD policies address three critical dimensions of the drug problem: the sale of illicit drugs has increased the level of violence in many urban communities; drug addiction is unacceptably high; and the drug crisis disproportionately affects the young and the poor. Social and economic trends and statistics associated with the drug abuse problem are noted. 11 endnotes