NCJ Number
121267
Date Published
1989
Length
70 pages
Annotation
The drug and alcohol abuse problem in Roanoke, Virginia, was examined through public hearings, confidential telephone conversations, neighborhood tours, and reviews of local and national statistics; the 51 recommendations in this report were developed as a blueprint for the community to reduce and eliminate drug and alcohol abuse.
Abstract
Local government, neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, businesses, the media, treatment services, the police, and the courts must all participate in the three-pronged strategy consisting of prevention and education, enforcement, and treatment. In terms of prevention, the study recommends substance abuse prevention curricula in all schools, increased opportunities for accessible and affordable recreational activities, and increased availability of affordable parenting classes. The enforcement strategy must send a message to drug traffickers that they will get caught and will pay substantial consequences. The redirection of confiscated assets to the locality in which they were seized would reduce the taxpayers' financial liability in the enforcement process. Finally, the availability of affordable, quality treatment options for adults and juveniles must be increased, particularly for those requiring special or long-term treatment. Roanoke also needs more options for transitional, therapeutic care. 6 appendixes.