CRIMINAL COURTS AND THE CONTROL OF ADDICTIONS (FROM COURTS AND TRIALS - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, 1975 BY MARTIN L FRIEDLAND - SEE NCJ-35889)

• NCJ Number: 35891
• Author(s): J Giffen
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Toronto Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

THE EFFICACY AND PROPRIETY OF DEALING WITH ADDICTIONS (PARTICULARLY ALCOHOL AND OPIATE ADDICTIONS) THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS QUESTIONED.

Abstract

THE REVOLVING-DOOR SYNDROME IS PARTICULARLY APPARENT WHEN DEALING WITH ALCOHOLICS WHO ALTERNATELY SPENT TIME IN JAIL AND WHEN RELEASED, BECOME DRUNK AGAIN. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS SELECTED TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS WITH OPIATE ADDICTION, AS A MATTER OF EXPEDIENCY. ONCE AN AGENCY IS RELEGATED A RESPONSIBILITY SUCH AS THESE, THE SEARCH FOR ALTERNATE OR BETTER SOLUTIONS IS NOT NEARLY AS PRESSING OR PRESSED. THE BRITISH SYSTEM OF ADMINISTERING DRUGS TO ADDICTS IS CONTRASTED TO THE NORTH AMERICAN SYSTEM. THE COMPARISON SHOWS THAT SOCIETAL INFLUENCES PLAY A LARGE PART IN KEEPING THE BRITISH ADDICT POPULATION LOW AND THAT THE MAJORITY (80 PERCENT) OF BRITISH ADDICTS ARE THERAPEUTIC ADDICTS, NOT THE HEDONISTIC SORT THAT WE HAVE OVER HERE. PUBLIC CONCEPTIONS OF THE DANGER OF NARCOTICS USE, AS FOSTERED BY POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY, ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO DICTATE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN CONTROLLING ADDICTIONS.