NCJ Number
25013
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 308-321
Date Published
1974
Length
14 pages
Annotation
AS PART OF A LARGER STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF METHADONE TREATMENT FOR HEROIN ADDICTS, THIS STUDY DETERMINED THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF POLICE-ADDICT INTERACTION AND THE OPINIONS OF POLICE ON ADDICTS, ADDICTION, AND TREATMENT.
Abstract
THIS STUDY TOOK PLACE IN ONE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK POLICE PRECINCT WHICH IS WITHIN THE AREA OF AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER. THE STUDY FOCUSED MAINLY ON THE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR OF PATROLMEN. THREE PRINCIPAL DATA-GATHERING TECHNIQUES WERE USED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION: DIRECT OBSERVATION, INFORMAL INTERVIEWS, AND A STRUCUTRED QUESTIONNAIRE. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROJECT AREA AND THE SURVEY SAMPLE ARE PROVIDED. INCLUDED IN THE FINDINGS ARE A DESCRIPTION OF THE AMOUNT OF ACTUAL INTERACTION BETWEEN POLICE AND ADDICTS; A DISCUSSION OF POLICE PERCEPTIONS OF HEROIN-RELATED CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY; POLICE PERCEPTIONS OF ADDICTS; A DISCUSSION OF POLICE PERCEPTION OF COMMUNITY DRUG PROGRAMS; AND A DESCRIPTION OF POLICE PERCEPTIONS OF PROCEDURES AND PROBLEMS IN WORKING WITH ADDICTS. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT OFFICERS CONSIDERED 50 TO 75 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE RELATED TO HEROIN ADDICTION. NEGATIVE OPINIONS WERE EXPRESSED WITH RESPECT TO ADDICTS, METHADONE MAINTENANCE, AND THE 'PERMISSIVENESS' OF THE COURTS IN THEIR TREATMENT OF ADDICTS.