NCJ Number
64709
Date Published
1979
Length
331 pages
Annotation
SPECIAL HEARINGS WERE CONDUCTED IN PUERTO RICO TO EXAMINE THE ISLAND'S DRUG PROBLEM, EVALUATE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND DEVELOP FEDERAL ASSISTANCE STRATEGIES.
Abstract
PUERTO RICO IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AS THE FIRST ENTRY POINT INTO THE U.S. FROM LATIN AMERICA. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT DRUG ABUSE IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO DELINQUENCY IN PUERTO RICO'S URBAN AREAS. THE FIRST DAY OF HEARINGS CONCENTRATED ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, NARCOTICS TRAFFIC, AND AVAILABILITY OF DRUGS. OFFICERS FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, THE CUSTOMS SERVICE, THE COAST GUARD, AND THE PUERTO RICAN POLICE DESCRIBED THEIR OPERATIONS AND COOPERATION WITH EACH OTHER. DRUG TRAFFIC INVOLVES HEROIN, COCAINE, AND MARIJUANA, AND MOST SMUGGLING IS DONE BY SEA. THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS AND PUERTO RICO'S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING WERE DISCUSSED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE AIRPORT AND PORT AUTHORITY. WITNESSES NOTED THAT PASSENGERS ON CRUISE SHIPS WERE INCREASINGLY INVOLVED IN DRUG SMUGGLING. THE CHIEF OF PSYCHIATRY OF VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TESTIFIED ON TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. PREVENTION SERVICES ARE TARGETED TOWARD JUVENILES. THE HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WAS CITED AS CONTRIBUTING TO DRUG ABUSE. THE MAYORS OF SAN JUAN AND MAYAGUEZ DISCUSSED MUNICIPAL PROGRAMS WHICH COMBATTED DRUG ABUSE, BUT EMPHASIZED THEIR RELIANCE ON FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS. A NONPROFIT SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE PORT AREA OF PONCE AND THE HOGAR CREA PROGRAM FOR REHABILITATING DRUG ADDICTS WERE DESCRIBED. A REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE IS APPENDED WHICH OUTLINES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PUERTO RICO REGARDING DRUG ABUSE. (MJM)