NCJ Number
141659
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 25-27
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Increased law enforcement activity, faster prosecution with greater penalties, and community mobilization are central elements in providing safe havens for children in Drug-Free School Zones.
Abstract
The Drug-Free School Zones initiative is a prevention strategy designed to help communities organize to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs in their neighborhoods. A well-organized effort can unite community leaders in partnerships with the criminal justice system and education and prevention efforts. Together they can protect young people and enhance school environments by reducing both the supply and the demand for alcohol and other drugs. These zones are geographic areas extending 1,000 feet in all directions from the edge of school property. Law enforcement is only one part of the effort. A program should unite education, community, and law enforcement leaders in a partnership that aims to create safe, drug-free environments for youth. The four major components of a successful efforts are saturation publicity to generate support for the program; suppression in the form of visible barriers and increased prevention activities; switching, which encourages drug offenders to leave the zone; and substitution, in which youths are encouraged to choose other activities to replace drugs and alcohol.