NCJ Number
70968
Date Published
1980
Length
176 pages
Annotation
Testimony is presented on the increase in heroin supply and use in the United States and how a simultaneous decrease in Federal funds is impacting enforcement, prevention, and treatment.
Abstract
Testimony from law enforcement and treatment personnel familiar with trends in heroin supply and use indicates that heroin use is approaching apidemic proportions, due primarily to the huge supply of the narcotic entering the United States from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Further, the heroin entering the United States is of high purity. Drug use has predictably been aggravated by socioeconomic pressures stemming from a deteriorating economy. A consequence of increased heroin use is the multiplication of property crimes to pay for the cost of drug use. Inflation has produced pressure for a balanced Federal budget, which has in turn produced efforts to reduce Federal spending for drug treatment programs, drug law enforcement, and drug abuse programs. The testimony is unanimous in calling for a budget that will deal with the growing problem of drug abuse, notably in heroin use.