NCJ Number
153541
Date Published
1990
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Community responses to drugs are discussed.
Abstract
Citizen drug-fighters have drawn significant attention from the popular media, but relatively little serious research from the scholarly community. The objective of the project represented in this paper was to identify examples of community-initiated activities and programs designed to suppress the violence and disorder associated with drug trafficking. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between neighborhood groups and local law enforcement. This paper is primarily descriptive, organizing the variety of community-inspired responses to drugs into four broad categories: law enforcement enhancement; civil justice; treatment and prevention; and community building. Examples of antidrug efforts of these various groups are provided. Research methodology involved a search of commercially available automated newspaper and magazine databases to identify and analyze articles about grassroots antidrug activities. Databases searched articles published between mid-1985 through the end of September 1989. Law enforcement-related activities identified include the block watch, community patrol, and cooperative police-community ventures. Civil legal remedies, such as small claims court and eviction proceedings, are cited as tools used by community activists in innovative ways. Treatment and prevention activities emphasized the recruitment of volunteer counselors and the design of recreational programs for youths. Community-building initiatives sought to build solidarity among residents through public demonstrations, advocacy with public officials, and efforts to improve the physical environment. Figures, references