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Eternal Hope: America's Quest for Narcotics Control

NCJ Number
159799
Journal
Public Interest Volume: 79 Dated: (Spring 1985) Pages: 79-95
Author(s)
P Reuter
Date Published
1985
Length
17 pages
Annotation
International drug law enforcement programs designed to control the supply of drugs must be supplemented by efforts to reduce drug abuse in the United States.
Abstract
The failure of international drug law enforcement programs is not the result of incompetence or inadequate resources. Rather, this failure is associated with the structure of the drug problem, particularly since producer country earnings from the drug trade are significant. Further, each major drug type (heroin, cocaine, and marijuana) presents a distinctive problem and is associated with corruption in most producer countries. Various approaches tried by the United States to control the drug trade are examined, including efforts to assist local and foreign law enforcement agencies and efforts to provide alternative commercial crops for farmers growing coca or poppies in producer countries. The lack of success with crop substitution and the beneficial effect of reduced drug production in source countries are noted. Policy recommendations to reduce drug consumption in the United States are offered.

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