NCJ Number
17985
Date Published
Unknown
Length
44 pages
Annotation
OUTLINES DIFFICULTIES IN TRACING THE SOURCE OF ILLEGALLY MANUFACTURED DRUGS BY THE PRESENT METHOD OF LABORATORY ANALYSIS AND POLICE ACTION AS USED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Abstract
THE STUDY CONCENTRATED ON THE DRUG LSD BUT THE FINDINGS CAN EQUALLY BE APPLIED TO OTHER FORMS OF ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITIES. IN ESSENCE, THE PRESENT METHODS OF PREVENTION RELY ON A CONCENTRATED EFFORT BY THE POLICE AGAINST THE USER. THIS PERSON IS USUALLY AT THE EXTREME END OF A COMPLICATED DISTRIBUTION CHAIN AND ACTION AGAINST HIM DOES NOT REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DRUG MANUFACTURED AND THEREFORE DOES LITTLE TO REDUCE THE OVERALL PROBLEM. THE SYSTEM OF ANALYSIS BY THE HOME OFFICE REGIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES IS GEARED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT A SUSPECT SUBSTANCE DOES OR DOES NOT CONTAIN A DRUG, AND WITHOUT EXTENSIVE TESTS INVOLVING BOTH TIME AND MANPOWER THEY CANNOT CARRY OUT SOPHISTICATED ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE THE VARIOUS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES INDICATING A COMMON SOURCE OF ORIGIN TO SUBSTANCES SUBMITTED AT THE VARIOUS LABORATORIES. THE FRAGMENTED SYSTEM OF INTELLIGENCE REGARDING DRUGS NOW OPERATED BY THE POLICE, LABORATORIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM CAUSES DELAYS, INACTION AND FRUSTRATION. FROM THE STUDY IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A CENTRAL DRUG UNIT SHOULD BE FORMED, COMPRISING SELECTED PERSONNEL, DRAWN FROM ALL PARTIES INTERESTED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF DRUG LEGISLATION, OPERATING IN CLOSE CONJUNCTION WITH A CENTRAL FORENSIC LABORATORY CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT SOPHISTICATED DRUG ANALYSIS. THE UNIT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLATING DRUG INTELLIGENCE AND TAKING OPERATIONAL ACTION AGAINST THE SOURCE OF SELECTED DRUGS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)