Fight Against Drugs: Corrections' Number One Battle (From State of Corrections: Proceedings of ACA Annual Conferences, 1989, P 100-101, 1990, Ann Dargis, ed. - See NCJ-122583)

• NCJ Number: 122597
• Author(s): J Biden Jr
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 2 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The only way to relieve prison crowding over the long term is to find ways of reducing the numbers of people who need to be sent to prison. To accomplish this drug treatment both inside and outside, correctional facilities need to be expanded.

Abstract

Most violent crime is drug-related, and the combination of crime and the public's desire for mandatory sentences and longer sentences have both contributed to prison population increases. To address the problems of drugs and crime, we must pay for what we promise, provide immediate treatment for any addict wanting help, test all people arrested for the presence of drugs, and establish 10 regional drug prisons for drug traffickers and offenders convicted on drug-related charges. Further actions needed include thorough enforcement of drug laws; the establishment of new legal means to protect our communities; improvement of the close coordination among law enforcement and education, prevention, and treatment agencies; improvements in treatment; increased enforcement against international drug cartels; and development of education and prevention programs that go beyond simple warnings and brochures.