JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND DRUG DEPENDENCE - ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES

• NCJ Number: 12072
• Author(s): C N EDWARDS; J CALHOUN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 150 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-ED-01-0010
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Justice Resource Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE AND ADDICTION AS SEPARATE FROM CRIMINAL ACTS OF THE USER IS RECOMMENDED, ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTARY THERAPY PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE PSYCHIC MOTIVATIONS OF THE DRUG USER ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG DEPENDENCE ARE DEFINED. THE NATURE OF APPROPRIATE LEGAL AND SOCIAL CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR RESULTING FROM DRUG USE IS ANALYZED. REGULATION OF DRUG SALES, SOLICITATION, AND ABUSIVE DRUG STIMULATED BEHAVIOR THAT VIOLATES THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF OTHERS ARE CONSIDERED PROPER AREAS FOR LEGAL CONTROL. DRUG USE OR DEPENDENCE IN AND OF ITSELF IS DEEMED NONCRIMINAL. THE FREEDOM OF THE USER TO DEAL WITH HIS PATTERNS OF DRUG USE IN HIS OWN WAY IS CONSIDERED A CIVIL RIGHT. VOLUNTARY TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE USER'S ARENA OF CHOICE.