NCJ Number
177141
Journal
Compiler Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: Winter 1998 Pages: -
Editor(s)
D Dighton
Date Published
1998
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This publication presents articles on several aspects of drugs and the Illinois criminal justice system, including the use of multijurisdictional drug law enforcement units, drug offenders, the Madison County drug court, and drug use among arrestees.
Abstract
The first article describes the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad, 1 of 10 Metropolitan Enforcement Groups in Illinois. Its 12 officers represent the Illinois State Police and 5 local law enforcement agencies. Its main roles are the enforcement of drug laws and the investigation of gang activity. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority funds 22 multijurisdictional drug enforcement units that cover 80 of the State's 102 counties and reach about 95 percent of the State's population. An article about drug offenders in the Illinois criminal justice system notes that drug offenders accounted for 6 percent of the inmate population in 1986 and 23 percent in 1996. Fifteen percent of all prison sentences imposed in 1996 were for Class 4 possession of a controlled substance. Another article describes the Madison County drug court, which is succeeding in helping persons overcome drug habits, gain self-confidence, obtain jobs, and avoid a criminal record. The final article on drugs reports that the overall rate of use of any illicit drug among Chicago arrestees has stayed near 80 percent since Chicago began taking part in the Drug Use Forecasting program in 1987. The publication also includes articles about the development of a statewide criminal information to track offenders, efforts in Illinois against motor vehicle theft, and activities of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Figures, photographs, and map