NCJ Number
8737
Date Published
1972
Length
396 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE FORD FOUNDATION STUDY IN A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES BY EXPERTS IN MEDICINE, PSYCHIATRY, LAW, AND ECONOMICS.
Abstract
THE FORD FOUNDATION UNDERTOOK A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF THIS COUNTRY'S DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM. THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT BY MEANS OF A REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE AND EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD. THE PAPERS DESCRIBE THE ABUSED DRUGS AND THEIR EFFECTS, ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL THEIR USE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION, AND CRIMINALIZATION. ONE AUTHOR APPLIES ECONOMIC ANALYSIS TO THE HEROIN MARKET AND TO THE EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON THIS MARKET. THE REPORT GOES ON TO OFFER NUMEROUS SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT MIGHT BE DONE TO EFFECTIVELY CURB DRUG ABUSE, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AND NON-PROFIT DRUG ABUSE COUNCIL. THIS COUNCIL WOULD, IDEALLY, SERVE AS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR DRUG ABUSE INFORMATION, BASIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION, PREVENTION, EVALUATION OF TREATMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THE BASIC OBJECTIVE OF A MODERN DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM MUST BE EDUCATION RATHER THAN SUPPRESSION THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT. (SNI ABSTRACT)