NCJ Number
14649
Date Published
1974
Length
203 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSES THE DISPARITY IN PHARMACOLOGICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF DRUGS AND PENALTIES FOR ABUSE IN FEDERAL STATUTES AND THE DRUG LAWS OF VARIOUS STATES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF LEGISLATION DRUGS SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED ON THE BASIS OF ACCURATE PHARMACOLOGICAL TESTING SO AS TO IMPOSE PENALTIES PROPORTIONATE TO THE INHERENT DANGERS OF VARIOUS DRUGS. A SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS IS AS FOLLOWS: 1) PHARMACOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF DANGEROUS DRUGS AND THEIR DESCRIBED EFFECTS HAVE NOT BEEN UNIFORMLY ESTABLISHED; 2) LEGISLATORS DO NOT TAKE SUFFICIENT COGNIZANCE OF ESSENTIAL PHARMACOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; AND 3) PHARMACOLOGICAL CRITERIA ARE OFTEN PREEMPTED BY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES SUCH AS PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES WHICH INFLUENCE THE ENACTMENT OF DANGEROUS DRUG LAWS. THE AUTHOR URGES COOPERATION AMONG LEGISLATORS, JUDGES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, PHARMACOLOGICAL EXPERTS, BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS, AND EDUCATORS IN AN EFFORT TO STANDARDIZE REASONABLE DRUG CONTROL LAWS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)