APRI Highlights - Winter 2003

Hot Topics: Drugs

Debra Whitcomb

Director, Grant Programs and Development

Criminal justice agencies across the country continue to struggle in their efforts to combat drugs and drug-related crimes, while widespread victimizations and tragedies continue. By the mid-1990s, one-third of all persons convicted of felonies in state courts were drug offenders. Drug law violations in juvenile courts have increased dramatically, and marijuana usage has increased. Presently, the nation’s state and local prosecutors report that drug-related offenses constitute 70 percent of their caseloads.

Over the last ten years, however, much has changed in the effort to stem the use and abuse of illegal drugs. For example, there has been a terrible resurgence in heroin use. New “club” drugs have entered the market. Research is demonstrating the value of education, prevention, testing, and treatment as essential complements to aggressive enforcement and prosecution of drug offenses. Some prosecutors’ offices have developed innovative prevention and treatment programs that may be amenable for replication.

In addition to drug trafficking and distribution challenges, local prosecutors must understand the unique characteristics of drugs that are currently on the market and the appropriate interventions for addicts and users. They must be knowledgeable about the relative effectiveness of different prevention and treatment modalities. They must be equal partners in drug courts and other community-based, interagency initiatives that exist in order to marshal scarce resources toward the shared challenge of drug-related crime.

To focus attention on the significant challenges of prosecuting drug cases in America, APRI will host a group of about two dozen prosecutors and government officials in a symposium at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC, December 16-18, 2002. The group will discuss promising strategies and practices in drug prosecution, prevention and treatment. APRI will publish the knowledge and ideas that emerge from this symposium in a monograph to be shared with prosecutors and other policymakers nationwide. Ultimately, we hope to launch a significant training and technical assistance initiative to help prosecutors combat the unrelenting onslaught of drug abuse and drug-related offenses that continue to threaten the safety of neighborhoods across America and the vibrancy of America’s youth.

To express your perspective on prosecutors’ needs in this area, or to share your good ideas about promising practices or policies, please contact me at (703) 519-1675 or debra.whitcomb@ndaa-apri.org.