NCJ Number
129576
Date Published
1991
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This report, which describes current National Institute of Justice efforts to evaluate new approaches to fight drugs and crime, contains preliminary findings from several of the fiscal year 1989 evaluations of community anti-drug abuse programs and reviews work in progress on fiscal year 1990 evaluations.
Abstract
The National Institute of Justice has supported more than 30 evaluation efforts since enactment of the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. The feasibility of community-based initiatives in fighting drugs is being tested in the Community Response to Drug Abuse National Demonstration Program in nine cities. The intent is to reduce both drug abuse and fear and to improve the quality of life in the targeted communities. Some preliminary findings of the 1989 evaluations report a strengthening of community relationships with local police, identification of drug "hotspots," and a closing of drug houses. The 1990 evaluations show law enforcement agencies to be progressing toward more comprehensive approaches and active involvement of the community and other governmental agencies in anti-drug efforts. New areas the National Institute of Justice is exploring include prosecutorial activities, financial investigations of drug dealers, drug testing, civil penalties, user accountability, use of fines, intermediate punishments, and drug night courts. 1 appendix