NCJ Number
146143
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined how drug abatement laws are fashioned and used across the Nation.
Abstract
One of the newest weapons municipalities and States have developed in the war on drugs in the private housing sector are drug house-specific municipal ordinances and new applications of existing ordinances and State laws that pertain to "public nuisance" or "public safety." Usually, drug abatement laws building on civil statutes that prohibit prostitution and other forms of public nuisances. Owners are held accountable for nuisances that occur on their property. This study conducted a telephone survey of officials in the 50 largest U.S. cities to find out if the cities had abatement programs. Based on survey results and an analysis of drug abatement and forfeiture statutes in the 50 States, five abatement programs were selected for intensive study. The five programs were located in Milwaukee, Alexandria, Houston, Toledo, and San Francisco. All five sites reported successes in ridding neighborhoods of drug houses in the private sector. Residents in the targeted neighborhoods often knew of the city's efforts, supported the efforts, and believed that the abatement action reduced the drug problem in their neighborhood. The long-term effects of drug- abatement actions are largely unknown, as are the long-term effects on the quality of the housing stock in the cities studied. There is evidence that cities must go beyond shutting down "problem" buildings and work with residents and landlord to refurbish drug-infested neighborhoods.