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Georgia Department of Public Safety: First Line of Defense Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse

NCJ Number
108086
Journal
Georgia Trooper Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1987) Pages: 30-33,37-41,117-119,123-125,129-131,135-137,141-142
Author(s)
L E Toole
Date Published
1987
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the Georgia State Patrol's efforts to combat drunk driving and drug trafficking through enforcement, legislation, training, and education programs.
Abstract
After commenting that problems with chemicals or alcohol go back to the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the author describes steps taken by the State legislature and State troopers to reduce alcohol-related highway accidents. These actions include stiffer penalties for driving while intoxicated, increased enforcement, education for young drivers, a public awareness campaign, and raising the drinking age to 21. Also discussed are projects to aid problem drinkers and grant programs to help counties purchase alcohol breath-testing equipment. The article presents statistics on costs of drunk driving, emphasizing how much alcoholic beverages being socially acceptable contributes to the problem. Noting that Georgia is on the direct route of most illegal drug trafficking from Florida to the eastern States, the author surveys the governor's efforts to increase funding for drug enforcement, create an interagency strike force and a special prosecution task force, and improve investigators' training. Data on recent drug arrests are included. Photographs, drawings, tables, and maps.