NCJ Number
9518
Date Published
1973
Length
481 pages
Annotation
FINAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MARIHUANA AND DRUG ABUSE EXAMINES THE ROOTS OF THE DRUG PROBLEM AND SUGGESTS WAYS OF REDUCING ITS IMPACT.
Abstract
THE REPORT EXPLORES THE WAY SOCIETY THINKS ABOUT DRUGS BY ANALYZING THE VOCABULARY OF THE DRUG CULTURE AND THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF CONTEMPORARY ATTITUDES. AFTER CONSIDERING THE WAY IN WHICH THE DRUG PROBLEM IS PRESENTLY DEFINED, THE COMMISSION REDEFINES IT BY FIRST BROADENING THE SCOPE TO COVER THE ENTIRE RANGE OF DRUG USE IN AMERICA, THEN BY NARROWING IT TO THAT DRUG-USING BEHAVIOR WHICH PROPERLY SHOULD AROUSE SOCIAL CONCERN. THE AUTHORS FOCUS ON DRUG USAGE BEHAVIOR IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTS AND DETERRENTS. RECENT TRENDS IN THE INCIDENCE, PREVALANCE, PATTERNS CONDITIONS, AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF DRUG USE ARE DESCRIBED AND MAJOR CLASSES OR TYPES OF DRUG-USAGE BEHAVIOR ARE IDENTIFIED. THE ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WELFARE OF THE PATTERNS OF DRUG ABUSE ARE CONSIDERED. DETAILED IS THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS ALONG WITH SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. THE REPORT CONCLUDES WITH A BROAD PERSPECTIVE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM SOCIAL RESPONSE TO DRUG ABUSE. THE APPENDICES CONTAIN LISTS OF THE MANY SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR THE REPORT AND AN INDEX OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)