Suchergebnisse

The following document is both a critique of current American policy toward drug abuse and alcoholism and more important, a statement of recommended national policy for the future. It was prepared by Dr. Richard H. Blum on behalf of the Study Groups on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism of the Advisory Council of Elected Officials of the Democratic National Committee. The paper was twice reviewed by members of the Study Group, whose names and affiliations are attached. The Advisory Council of Elected Officials was intended to be a policy recommending body for the Democratic Party and is the successor to the Policy Council of the Democratic National Committee. In February, 1976, the paper was presented to the Democratic Platform Committee as an official recommendation of the Study Group. In July, 1976, a condensed version of the paper was inserted in the Congressional Record by Congressman Scheuer of New York (122 Cong. Rec. Daily Ed., p.p. H 7973–7980, July 29, 1976) during the floor debate preceding creation of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, with the recommendation that the paper contained issues and directions worthy of the Select Committee's attention. The paper was subsequently revised for incorporation into the Fall, 1976 theme issue of the Journal of Drug Issues entitled, "Drug Issues: Reprospective and Prospective, Part I." The editors believe that the article is particularly relevant to the current theme. Its recommendations remain well worth consideration by policy makers seeking more rational and effective measures to confront drug use and alcoholism.

In this very personal article the author shares with us some of the lessons he has learned about drugs, drug abuse research and people during the course of his career in drug abuse research and in living among us.

The following document is both a critique of current American policy toward drug abuse and alcoholism and more important, a statement of recommended national policy for the future. It was prepared by Dr. Richard H. Blum on behalf of the Study Groups on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism of the Advisory Council of Elected Officials of the Democratic National Committee. The paper was twice reviewed by members of the Study Group, whose names and affiliations are attached. The Advisory Council of Elected Officials was intended to be a policy recommending body for the Democratic Party and is the successor to the Policy Council of the Democratic National Committee. In February, 1976, the paper was presented to the Democratic Platform Committee as an official recommendation of the Study Group. In July, 1976, a condensed version of the paper was inserted in the Congressional Record by Congressman Scheuer of New York (122 Cong. Rec. Daily Ed., p.p. H 7973–7980, July 29, 1976) during the floor debate preceding creation of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, with the recommendation that the paper contained issues and directions worthy of the Select Committee's attention.

The difficulty of assessing the effects of mind- altering drugs on human behavior, especially conduct in real-life situations, is discussed. Problems in classification of drugs are also noted; it is emphasized that assumed drug effects are, at best, statements of probability. In considering crimes associated with drug use, it is necessary to distinguish between crimes based on drug use itself, which include all offenses for illicit acquisition, possession, and use of dangerous drugs and narcotics, and dangerous behavior resulting from use. The evidence is clearest for alcohol, revealing a distinct relationship between alcohol use and health hazard, suicide, accidents, and violence. The evidence is less clear for heroin, since most users are delinquent prior to being identified as "addicts" so that continued criminality after heroin use cannot be "caused" by narcotics. That the kind of criminality engaged in is influenced by drug use does seem a reasonable conclusion. Evidence about the degree of risk for the use of other drugs (sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, volatile intoxicants, and the like) and crime is absent. Generally, it appears that most Americans use drugs without major ill- effects—including occasional illicit use. Those likely to be engaged in drug use and in crime are likely to be urban slum- dwelling males, with an overrepresentation of minority groups. Such behavior is apt to be part of a life pattern of deficit and disorder.

The difficulty of assessing the effects of mind-altering drugs on HB, esp conduct in real-life situations, is discussed. Problems in classification of drugs are also noted; it is emphasized that assumed drug effects are, at best, statements of probability In considering crimes associated with drug use, it is necessary to distinguish between crimes based on drug use itself, which include all offenses for illicit acquisition, possession, & use of dangerous drugs & narcotics, & dangerous behavior resulting from use. The evidence is clearest for alcohol, revealing a distinct relationship between alcohol use & health hazard, suicide, accidents, & violence. The evidence is less clear for heroin, since most users are DEL prior to being identified as addicts, so that continued criminality after heroin use cannot be 'caused' by narcotics. That the kind of criminality engaged in is influenced by drug use does seem a reasonable conclusion. Evidence about the degree of risk for the use of other drugs (sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, volatile intoxicants, & the like) & crime is absent. Generally, it appears that most Amer's use drugs without major ill-effects-including occasional illicit use. Those likely to be engaged in drug use & in crime are likely to be Ur slum-dwelling M's, with an overrepresentation of minority groups. Such behavior is apt to be part of a life pattern of deficit & disorder. HA.