ADDICTS AND CRIME

• NCJ Number: 61737
• Journal: Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 35-45
• Author(s): S GETTINGER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRICE QUOTED IS FOR SINGLE ISSUE REPRINTS OF ARTICLE AVAILABLE IN LARGE QUANTITITES

Annotation

HEROIN IMPACT PROGRAMS USED BY CALIFORNIA POLICE TO REDUC BURGLARY THROUGH LARGE SCALE ARRESTS OF ADDICTS ARE DESCRIBED. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS INTERVIEWS WITH HEROIN ADDICTS AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE JUNKIE-BURGLAR MYTH.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH THE EXACT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEROIN AND PROPERTY CRIME IS DEBATABLE, POLICE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BELIEVE THAT REMOVING HEROIN USERS FROM THE COMMUNITY WILL REDUCE BURGLARIES. THE HEROIN IMPACT PROGRAMS (HIP'S) ESPOUSED BY POLICE IN MEDIUM-SIZED CALIFORNIA TOWNS, SUCH AS SANTA BARBARA AND STOCKTON, RELY ON A LAW THAT MAKES BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN OPIATE A CRIME. SINCE OFFICERS MUST PROVE THAT A DRUG IS PRESENT IN THE BODY TO MAKE AN ARREST, DETECTIVES IN HIP MUST BE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE HEROIN SYMPTOMS. URINALYSIS, HOWEVER, IS THE ONLY SURE TEST OF HEROIN USE, AND THAT CAN BE ORDERED ONLY AFTER ARREST. HIP OFFICERS DO NOT ENGAGE IN PLEA BARGAINING, BUT CONCENTRATE ON GETTING ADDICTS OFF THE STREET EITHER THROUGH ARRESTS OR HARASSMENT. ALTHOUGH THE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE GIVEN BY POLICE TO SUPPORT HIP'S IS HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE, THESE PROGRAMS ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT. IN SACRAMENTO THE HIP WAS ALSO ENDORSED BY DRUG TREATMENT OFFICIALS WHO FELT THAT HARASSMENT TECHNIQUES PUSH ADDICTS TO SEEK REHABILITATIVE HELP. HEROIN USERS INTERVIEWED AT THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATIVE CENTER FELT THAT HIP TECHNIQUES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR AGGRAVATED THE HEROIN-CRIME PROBLEM BY CAUSING HIGHER DRUG PRICES. IN ANY CASE, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEROIN USERS AND PROPERTY CRIME IS DEBATABLE. STATISTICS USED BY ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO JUSTIFY ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS ARE MISLEADING. ACTUALLY, STRICT DRUG LAWS HAVE NOT REDUCED HEROIN USE AND PROPERTY CRIME. IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE DRUG USE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN RELY ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS, STIFF PENALTIES TO FRIGHTEN PEOPLE AWAY FROM DRUGS, AND MEASURES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN DRUGS. WHILE THE LAST METHOD MAY BE EFFECTIVE IN SMALL CITIES, IT DOES NOT WORK IN LARGE URBAN AREAS WHICH HAVE THE MOST SERIOUS DRUG AND CRIME PROBLEMS. (MJM)