DRUGS AND CRIME ACROSS
AMERICA:
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
A National Survey Among Chiefs of Police
Conducted for
POLICE FOUNDATION
and
DRUG STRATEGIES
by
Peter D. Hart Research Associates
1996
POLICE FOUNDATION
DRUG STRATEGIES
This survey was made possible by a grant from
the Miriam and Peter Haas Fund.
POLICE FOUNDATION
Through research, technical assistance, and dissemination of information, the
Police Foundation works to improve American policing and enhance the capacity of
the criminal justice system to function effectively. Motivating all of the foundation’s
efforts is the goal of efficient, humane policing that operates within the framework of
democratic principles and the highest ideals of the nation.
DRUG STRATEGIES
The mission of Drug Strategies is to promote more effective approaches to the
nations's drug problems, and to support private and public initiatives that reduce the
demand for drugs through prevention, education, treatment, law enforcement, and
community coalitions.
Police Foundation
1201 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 833-1460
Fax: (202) 659-9149
E-mail: pfinfo@policefoundation.org
www.policefoundation.org
Drug Strategies
1575 Eye Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 289-9070
Fax: (202) 414-6199
E-mail: dspolicy@aol.com
www.drugstrategies.org
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
FOREWORD
What do America’s law enforcement leaders have to tell us about our “war on drugs”?
In scores of cities across America, police resources are strained to the breaking point by the
battle against the drug epidemic. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, three in four people
arrested test positive for illegal drugs, regardless of the crime for which they are arrested. The
Police Foundation and Drug Strategies commissioned Peter D. Hart Research Associates to survey
the experience of more than 300 chiefs of police across the nation who are on the “front lines” in
dealing with drug abuse and drug crime.
Drugs and Crime Across America: Police Chiefs Speak Out finds the majority of police
chiefs in the United States regard drug abuse as a major problem: fifty-eight percent of more than
300 police chiefs interviewed regard drug abuse as a “serious” problem in their communities, ahead
of domestic violence, property crimes and violent crimes. Police chiefs also expressed an urgent
need for a more balanced approach to solving these problems including prevention, education, and
treatment as well as interdiction, enforcement, and punishment.
A majority of the chiefs believe the problem is greater than it was five years ago, echoing
sentiments expressed by the public at large in a Hart Associates survey conducted last year. Results
of Police Chiefs Speak Out confirm that law enforcement alone cannot solve this problem and that
any effective strategy must involve the community and its full range of institutions.
The Police Foundation and Drug Strategies appreciate the candor and articulation of all the
chiefs of police who participated in this survey. Their observations are essential to the formulation
of more effective drug policies.
Hubert Williams
President
Police Foundation
Mathea Falco
President
Drug Strategies
1
POLICE FOUNDATION
DRUG STRATEGIES
DRUGS AND CRIME ACROSS AMERICA:
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted a national telephone survey among 318
chiefs of police (or, in less than one in four cases, their designated spokesperson within the
police department). The sample was stratified and weighted by the size of the population
served by each police department, so that it represents a cross-section of police
departments according to population. The interviews were conducted over a 10-day
period from the end of February through the first week of March 1996.
communities (25,000 to 100,000 residents)
THE MAGNITUDE OF THE
PROBLEM
and those in small towns (fewer than 25,000
residents) rank drug abuse right behind
THE
NATION'S CHIEFS OF POLICE AND THE
American public agree: drug abuse is a huge
problem that is growing worse. Fifty-eight
percent of police chiefs say that drug abuse is
domestic violence as the most serious problem
they face; one in two of these law
enforcement officers consider drug abuse an
extremely or quite serious problem.
a very serious or quite serious problem in their
communities, and in a national survey a year
ago, 52% of Americans said the same thing.
Seriousness of Problems in Your
Community
Indeed, chiefs of police regard drug abuse as
the
most
serious
problem
in
their
communities—more serious than domestic
violence, burglary and theft, or violent crime.
THE
NATION'S POLICE CHIEFS ALSO BELIEVE
that drug abuse drives up crime in their
communities. One in two police chiefs regard
theft and burglary by drug users as an
The figures are even more dramatic in
extremely or quite serious problem in their
America's large cities: 82% of police chiefs in
community; more than one in three say the
large cities (with populations greater than
same thing about violent crime associated
100,000) say drug abuse is an extremely
(45%) or quite serious (37%) problem in their
communities. Police chiefs in medium-sized
2
with drug trafficking; and more than one in
four concur when it comes to domestic
violence involving drug use. In large cities, a
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
majority of police chiefs regard gang activity
ought not to include decriminalization of
associated with drug trafficking as another
drugs; 90% believe that would be a step in the
serious problem for their communities.
wrong direction.
No matter what size community they serve,
two-thirds of police chiefs believe that drug
Best Way to Deal with the Drug
abuse has been growing instead of shrinking
Problem
over the past five years. In the survey a year
FROM
ago, two-thirds of Americans expressed the
same opinion.
THE front
UNIQUE
PERSPECTIVE
ON
lines of the war against drugs,
the nation's chiefs of police widely reject the
THE NEED FOR A NEW
PARADIGM
AMERICA'S
THEIR
CHIEFS OF POLICE BELIEVE IT IS
easy answers articulated in the public debate
about drugs and crime. Specifically, they
regard punishment alone as an inadequate way
to deal with the problem.
time for a new approach to the drug problem.
AMERICA'S POLICE CHIEFS FAVOR PROACTIVE
Fully 60% of police chiefs believe that police
strategies over reactive approaches to the
and other law enforcement agencies have been
unsuccessful in reducing the drug problem in
the United States. This is true for chiefs of
police in all regions of the country, from small
town departments to large city forces.
Success of Law Enforcement
Efforts Against Drugs
problem of drugs. Nearly all believe it is
crucial to get ahead of the problem. They
favor reducing demand for drugs through
education and reducing the supply of drugs
through interdiction, instead of dealing with
the problem reactively through punishment
and treatment. Close to half (47%) of all
chiefs believe the most effective approach to
AS
A
RESULT ,
AN
OVERWHELMING
controlling the drug problem in the United
PROPORTION (85%) of all police chiefs call for
States is education, while more than one in
major changes in the way we deal with the
four (28%) believe the most effective strategy
drug problem, including nearly half who say
is interdiction.
a "fundamental overhaul" is needed.
between the two alternatives, a majority of
Yet, chiefs of police are emphatic that a major
police chiefs in large and medium-sized
overhaul in the approach to the drug problem
communities believe it would be a step in the
When asked to choose
3
POLICE FOUNDATION
DRUG STRATEGIES
wrong direction to shift federal funding from
prevention and treatment programs to border
POLICE
patrols and intercepting drugs before they
country are trying a wide range of programs
reach the United States. Few police chiefs
to deal with the drug problem. More than
believe the problem can best be controlled by
90% of police chiefs report participation by
focusing on approaches that deal with the
their department in drug education programs
problem after the fact: only 15% favor
in the schools; over 80% employ street-level
punishment, and only 5% favor treatment as
"buy-bust" efforts and neighborhood watch
the best approach.
and community policing programs; and over
DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE
70% engage in directed patrol activities and
How Police Chiefs View the Drug
Problem
POLICE CHIEFS IN LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED
communities are more likely to view drug use
as a public health problem better handled by
prevention and treatment programs than as a
crime problem better handled by the criminal
justice system. This is also true for the
American public (53%). Yet more than one in
three police chiefs volunteer that the problem
is too complex to be address as either a public
health or a criminal justice problem. Instead
they say both approaches are essential to
address the problem successfully. Similarly,
while 21% of police chiefs believe a greater
law enforcement effort is required to deal with
the drug problem in their communities, nearly
half (47%) believe more assistance is needed
in the form of education, prevention, and
treatment. In addition, three in ten see the two
approaches as equally essential.
4
street-sweeps.
Except in small towns, a
majority also use civil code violations to shut
down crack houses and have established in
their department an organized crime unit with
drug enforcement responsibilities.
Most Effective Means of
Reducing Crime in Communities
ALTHOUGH POLICE CHIEFS GENERALLY FEEL
that law enforcement efforts have been
unsuccessful in dealing with the drug
problem, almost one-third view school
prevention programs as their most successful
effort.
THE CHALLENGE IN
AMERICA'S LARGE CITIES
LARGE-CITY
CHIEFS
OF
POLICE,
WHO
DEAL with the most severe drug problems, are
most likely to look to education and treatment
programs
over
law
enforcement
and
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
A majority of police chiefs
say that treatment programs for drug offenders
throughout the country regard drug abuse as a
are difficult to find in their communities,
major problem in their communities, but it is
whereas two-thirds of police chiefs in less
large-city chiefs who are most prepared to
populated areas say that treatment programs
look beyond tougher law enforcement for
are readily or fairly available. Moreover, two-
interdiction.
solutions to the problem.
A majority of
Americans and small town police chiefs favor
an approach that emphasizes prosecution of
drug dealers and users, stricter sentencing for
drug dealers, and stopping drugs before they
are brought into the country. However, in
America's large and medium-sized cities, a
thirds of large-city chiefs of police believe it
would be a step in the wrong direction to shift
federal funding for drug prevention and
treatment programs to law enforcement and
prison construction.
need to address the underlying causes by
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK TO
AMERICA
improving drug education, prevention, and
FINALLY, WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT SIMPLY
treatment programs for those who need them.
to listen to the voices of America's chiefs of
48% plurality of police chiefs emphasize the
police and hear their views about the drug
Emphasis in Dealing with DrugRelated Crime
problem in the United States. The following
quotations demonstrate the extent to which
chiefs of police believe drugs are a major
In describing the most serious limitations on
threat to their communities, but the excerpts
their ability to deal successfully with the drug
also show that not all police chiefs agree on
problem, chiefs of police in medium-sized and
the right approach to the problem. The one
small communities say their greatest need is
point of near unanimity is the belief that it
more resources for law enforcement. Large-
will take a balanced combination of different
city police chiefs, on the other hand, are
strategies to reduce the havoc created by drug
calling for more places in treatment programs.
abuse.
Limitations in Dealing with Drug
Problems
Indeed, a majority of large-city police chiefs
5
POLICE FOUNDATION
Wake up! We have a bigger problem with
drugs than people realize.
Small Southern town
Violence and drugs go hand-in-hand. If it's
not stopped, it will only get worse. It's
already out of control.
Large Southern city
It is the underlying cause of almost all serious
crime in the United States. Drugs need to be
addressed; they are the problem.
Medium-sized Eastern city
It's a very serious problem. It affects drug
users and abusers, and it affects the children
and the long-range goals and future of the
United States.
Small Midwestern town
It is the worst plague this country has.
Large Eastern city
We have to quit looking for simple answers to
complex problems.
Large Southern city
Our current drug war has failed! We need a
radical shift in our attitude—left or right,
either will work. This middle ground is
killing us economically and morally.
Small Southern town
We need a balanced approach: enforcement
and demand, education and treatment.
Enforcement should go to the suppliers, not
the users; users need to be put in treatment.
Large Midwestern city
6
DRUG STRATEGIES
This is not a police problem; only the end
result is a police problem. The country's
solution is not law enforcement. We need
education, training, and interdiction. As long
as there are users, there will be a demand. If
we clean up the users, we will kill the
demand.
Large Southern city
We need to stand back and rethink our
approach. The approach should not be based
fundamentally on locking people up, but
should be based on bringing them up right.
It's about making sure people are raised right
from the beginning.
Large Southern city
More emphasis has to be placed on the early
stages of prevention. Prevention starts with
the family, instilling values within the family.
People need to be taught right from wrong,
and we need family members to look after
them. Prevention starts in the home.
Large Midwestern city
We need a complete overhaul of our social
environment. Why are we rewarding people
to do the wrong thing?
Large Southern city
The best law enforcement can do is hold the
line.
Large Southern community
It's all about supply and demand, and it has to
be cut off at the demand point.
Small Southern community
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
Like all business, the drug situation is a matter
of supply and demand. As long as part of
society demands it, some entrepreneur will
supply it. In a comprehensive way, society
must reduce the causes of drug abuse through
prevention and treatment, and law
enforcement must finish the job by addressing
those who still engage in illicit drug abuse.
Major violators must be punished severely as
a deterrent to the lucrative temptation of
trafficking to those who continue to practice
drug abuse.
Large Midwestern city
Law enforcement needs financial help. We
have patrol cars with over 200,000 miles on
them. We can only keep our heads afloat.
Officers work a lot on their own time without
pay. If I had to operate on the budget they
give me, I'd have to close down.
Small Southern town
I recommend that drug use and possession
remain a criminal offense, but prisoners
should have mandatory treatment programs.
Treatment while in jail is very important,
[because] eliminating users by treatment will
kill the supply and demand.
Large Midwestern city
The problem is not going away. Federal,
state, and local government must get involved
and cooperate to wage a war on drugs.
Medium-sized Eastern city
I think that putting people with drug problems
in jails without proper treatment for a specific
time will only get them back out in the streets;
then the problem is back again.
Small Midwestern town
The drug problem is not just related to one
entity, like law enforcement. It requires all of
us. It takes a nation to pull together, and it
takes money and resources. We need citizens
participating with us, not just leaving it to us.
Medium-sized
Midwestern
community
We need a federal drug strategy. There's too
many agencies working on the drug problem
but not working together.
Medium-sized Southern city
We need to send home the message that it is a
community problem. Look at the community
and build a holistic approach to crime
prevention. It is a social issue and a crime
issue. We need to arrest and prosecute, but
have a better approach to how it is carried on.
Small Western community
The drug problem will never be solved until
the community decides to do it. Wake up and
save our kids.
Large Midwestern city
It's all been said before, and no one apparently
listens.
Small Southern town
7
POLICE FOUNDATION
DRUG STRATEGIES
SURVEY INSTRUMENT
PETER D. HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.
1724 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-5570
Interviews:
318 respondents
92 large cities
60 medium communities
166 small towns
February 27 - March 7, 1996
Dates:
All
Police
Chiefs
Large
Cities
Medium
Communities
Small
Towns
Male
97
95
97
99
Female
3
5
3
1
FINAL
Study #4553
Police Chiefs
February/March 1996
I'm calling from Peter Hart Research on behalf of the Police Foundation and Drug Strategies. We recently faxed Chief (NAME OF
POLICE CHIEF) a letter from the Police Foundation requesting a brief telephone interview. Could I please speak to Chief (NAME
OF POLICE CHIEF)?
1.
If I may ask, what is your position in the department?
All
Police
Chiefs
2.
Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
Refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-
Let me begin with a few issues that may or may not be facing your community. For each one, please tell me how much
of a problem you believe it is for your community—an extremely serious problem, quite serious, just somewhat serious,
or not a problem. (ROTATE ORDER OF ITEMS ON EVERY OTHER INTERVIEW.)
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEM
Extremely
Serious
Problem
Quite
Serious
Problem
Just
Somewhat
Serious
Problem
Not A
Problem
Not
Sure
Drug abuse
8
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
35
39
3
-
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
37
18
-
-
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
37
43
2
-
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
33
48
4
1
American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
25
31
12
5
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
Domestic violence
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
41
41
3
1
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
50
31
-
2
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
52
43
-
-
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
34
45
6
-
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
30
55
5
1
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
38
46
1
1
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
28
60
3
-
Property crimes, such as burglary and theft
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
28
58
7
-
American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
19
37
26
2
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
14
43
34
-
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
33
36
3
1
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
10
59
28
-
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
7
40
51
-
Violent crimes, such as homicide and assault
3.
Thinking about the impact of drugs on crime in your own community, please tell me how important each of the following
is in terms of law enforcement by your department—an extremely serious problem, quite serious, just somewhat serious,
or not a problem. (ROTATE ORDER OF ITEMS ON EVERY OTHER INTERVIEW.)
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEM
Extremely
Serious
Problem
Quite
Serious
Problem
Just
Somewhat
Serious
Problem
Not A
Problem
Not
Sure
Thefts and burglaries by drug users
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
31
42
8
-
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
41
24
1
-
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
37
48
-
-
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
23
48
15
1
13
24
34
29
-
Violent crime associated with drug trafficking
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
46
25
2
-
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
22
35
30
2
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
14
38
41
-
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
13
31
48
-
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
29
38
9
-
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
12
38
41
2
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
5
25
69
-
Gang activity associated with drug trafficking
9
POLICE FOUNDATION
DRUG STRATEGIES
Domestic violence involving drug use
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
20
50
21
2
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
25
52
9
5
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
15
55
23
5
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
19
47
26
-
Traffic accidents involving drug use
4.
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
9
48
39
2
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-
7
66
23
4
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-
12
42
43
3
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
9
41
46
1
Compared to five years ago, do you feel that drug abuse today is a much greater problem, a somewhat greater problem,
about the same, somewhat less of a problem, or much less of a problem?
A much greater problem . . . . . . . . .
A somewhat greater problem . . . . .
About the same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Somewhat less of a problem . . . . . .
Much less of a problem . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.
All
Police
Chiefs
34
29
31
5
1
Large
Cities
35
31
26
7
1
Medium
communities
27
28
38
5
2
American
Public
2/95
46
22
25
5
1
1
Let me read you some reasons why police sometimes feel limited in their ability to deal with drugs in their communities.
Please tell me which one or two you feel are the biggest problems you face in your own community in dealing with the
drug problem. (ROTATE ORDER OF ITEMS ON EVERY OTHER INTERVIEW.)
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE
Limited resources for law enforcement in your local community . . . . . . . . . . .
Not enough places available in treatment programs for drug offenders . . . . . . .
Not enough resources for school-based prevention efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insufficient efforts to cut off the supply of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low conviction rates for dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low conviction rates for users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure/refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
Small
Towns
36
28
31
4
1
All
Police
Chiefs
55
28
25
24
17
11
7
Large
Cities
36
52
34
23
13
9
8
Medium
communities
50
28
28
37
8
5
8
Small
towns
66
16
20
20
22
15
5
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
6.
How successful do you feel the police and other law enforcement agencies have been in reducing the drug problem in the
United States—very successful, fairly successful, fairly unsuccessful, or very unsuccessful?
All
Police
Chiefs
3
34
44
16
3
Very successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fairly successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fairly unsuccessful . . . . . . . . . . . .
Very unsuccessful . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.
Small
Towns
3
35
45
15
2
All
Police
Chiefs
48
37
11
3
1
Large
Cities
37
47
13
2
1
Medium
Communities
54
38
8
-
Small
Towns
52
32
10
4
2
Based on what you know, how available are treatment programs for drug offenders in your community—readily available,
fairly available, fairly difficult to find, or very difficult to find in your community?
Readily available . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fairly available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fairly difficult to find . . . . . . . . . . .
Very difficult to find . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9a.
Medium
Communities
2
33
41
22
2
When you think about the way we deal with the drug problem in the United States, which comes closest to your own point
of view—that we need to make a fundamental overhaul in the way we deal with the drug problem, that a few major changes
are needed, that some minor changes are needed, or that we need to maintain the same approach now being taken?
Fundamental overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A few major changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Some minor changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintain same approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.
Large
Cities
3
34
45
15
3
All
Police
Chiefs
20
42
26
11
1
Large
Cities
10
36
44
8
2
Medium
Communities
27
45
20
8
-
Small
Towns
22
43
20
14
1
American
Public
2/95
25
31
19
12
13
And do you feel that drug use is more of a crime problem better handled by the criminal justice system, or more of a public
health problem better handled by prevention and treatment programs?
Criminal justice system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prevention and treatment programs . . . . . .
Both equally (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All
Police
Chiefs
38
27
34
1
Large
Cities
24
34
41
1
Medium
Communities
30
37
33
-
Small
Towns
48
20
31
1
American
Public
2/95
34
53
13
11
POLICE FOUNDATION
9b.
DRUG STRATEGIES
Given the current approach to handling the drug problem, do you think that a greater law enforcement effort is required,
or that more assistance is needed in the form of education, prevention, and treatment?
Greater law enforcement effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
More assistance in education, prevention, and treatment . . . . .
Both equally (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.
All
Police
Chiefs
21
47
30
2
Medium
Communities
12
52
33
3
Large
Cities
10
61
27
2
Small
Towns
30
39
30
1
I would like to read you two statements about proposals to reduce drug-related crime. Please tell me which one of the
statements comes closer to your point of view. (ROTATE STATEMENTS ON EVERY OTHER INTERVIEW.)
Statement A: In dealing with drug-related crime, we need to emphasize prosecuting drug dealers and drug users, stricter
sentencing for drug dealers, and stopping drugs before they are brought into the U.S.
Statement B: In dealing with drug-related crime, we need to address the underlying causes by improving drug education,
prevention, and treatment for everyone who needs it.
Statement A/stricter approach . . . . . . .
Statement B/deal with the causes . . . . .
Some of both (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Neither (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11a.
All
Police
Chiefs
43
31
26
-
Large
Cities
22
48
29
1
Medium
Communities
32
46
22
-
Small
Town
57
17
25
1
-
American
Public 2/95
55
36
8
1
-
Which one of the following strategies do you feel would be the most effective approach to controlling the drug problem
in the United States—education, interdiction, treatment, or punishment?
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH
Q.11a
Most Effective Approach
Education . . . . . . . . . . .
Interdiction . . . . . . . . . .
Punishment . . . . . . . . . .
Treatment . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . .
12
All
Police
Chiefs
47
28
15
5
5
Large
Cities
60
16
10
10
4
Medium
Communities
52
28
5
5
10
Q.11b
Second-Most Effective Approach
Small
Towns
38
34
20
4
4
All
Police
Chiefs
23
28
23
20
6
Large
Cities
17
37
16
24
6
Medium
Communities
20
22
28
18
12
Small
Towns
28
25
24
19
4
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
11b.
Which do you feel would be the second-most effective approach to controlling the drug problem in the United States?
12.
As you may know, Congress has considered changes in legislation that affects federal programs dealing with crime and
drug abuse. Let me read you some of the measures that will be considered, and for each one, please tell me whether you
feel it would be a step in the right direction or a step in the wrong direction. (ROTATE ORDER ON EVERY OTHER
INTERVIEW.)
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
A Step In A Step In The
The Right
Wrong
Not
Direction
Direction
Sure
Shifting federal funding for drug prevention and treatment
programs to law enforcement and prison construction
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
40
3
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
68
3
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61
37
2
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
27
4
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
39
6
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
58
10
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
52
5
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
25
5
All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
69
6
Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
74
3
Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
73
7
Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
65
7
American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
49
6
Shifting federal funding from drug prevention and treatment
programs to border patrols and intercepting drugs before they
reach the U.S.
Cutting back on federal funding for community drug courts in
which nonviolent drug offenders are given a choice between
prison and supervised treatment
13.
Do you feel that decriminalization of drugs would be a step in the right direction, or a step in the wrong direction?
A step in the right direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A step in the wrong direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All
Police
Chiefs
6
90
4
Large
Cities
1
94
5
Medium
Communities
7
88
5
Small
Towns
8
88
4
13
POLICE FOUNDATION
14.
Which of the following statements about dealing with drug users, not dealers, comes closest to your own point of view?
(START FROM THE BOTTOM ON EVERY OTHER INTERVIEW.)
Statement A:
Statement B:
Statement C:
OR
Statement D:
Do not prosecute drug users.
Require drug users to enter treatment programs that are supervised by the courts.
Send drug users to jail for sentences of less than two years.
Impose mandatory minimum prison sentences of more than two years on drug users.
Statement A/do not prosecute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statement B/treatment programs supervised by courts . . . .
Statement C/jail sentences of less than two years . . . . . . . .
Statement D/mandatory minimum prison sentences of more
than two years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Combination (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
None (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.
DRUG STRATEGIES
All
Police
Chiefs
1
59
13
Large
Cities
68
13
Medium
Communities
72
9
Small
Towns
2
49
15
American
Public 2/95
2
50
12
15
10
1
1
4
13
1
1
8
8
3
-
23
10
1
31
2
1
2
From your perspective, how effective have mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession been in reducing drug
trafficking in your community—very effective, fairly effective, only somewhat effective, or not really the answer to the
problem in your community?
All
Medium
Police
CommuLarge
Small
Chiefs
nities
Cities
Towns
Very effective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
10
7
6
Fairly effective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
17
8
14
Only somewhat effective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
31
37
33
Not really the answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
36
40
42
Don't have mandatory minimum sentencing (VOL) . . . .
4
2
5
4
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
4
3
1
14
POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT
16a.
Let me read you a list of a few enforcement strategies and programs that police departments sometimes have. For each
one, please tell me whether your department operates or participates in this type of program. (ACCEPT AS MANY
ANSWERS AS APPLY.)
Drug education programs in the public schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All
Police
Chiefs
Large
Cities
Medium
Communities
Small
Towns
92
97
93
90
Street-level "buy-bust" efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
99
93
73
Neighborhood watch and community policing programs focused on drugs . .
84
91
95
77
Directed patrol activities and street sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72
91
82
59
Organized crime unit with responsibilities for drug enforcement . . . . . . . . .
52
84
65
33
Civil code enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
80
57
39
Not sure/refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
-
-
1
16b.
Of just those programs that your department operates or participates in, which is the single most effective one in reducing
drug crime in your community?
THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE
Drug education programs in the public schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All
Police
Chiefs
Large
Cities
Medium
Communities
Small
Towns
31
13
35
38
Street-level "buy-bust" efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
13
7
23
Neighborhood watch and community policing programs focused on drugs . .
13
16
15
10
Directed patrol activities and street sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
17
10
13
Organized crime unit with responsibilities for drug enforcement . . . . . . . . .
11
14
17
8
Civil code enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
3
3
1
Not sure/refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
24
13
7
15
POLICE FOUNDATION
17.
DRUG STRATEGIES
Finally, suppose that you had the opportunity to talk to Americans about the drug problem. What would you tell the public
and policymakers about the drug problem that they need to know? What message would you send to them?
SELECTED QUOTATIONS INCLUDED IN REPORT.
FACTUALS: The following questions are for statistical purposes only.
1.
What is your age?
18-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70 and over . . . . . . . . .
Refused . . . . . . . . . . . .
2a.
1
3
9
21
27
21
13
4
1
-
How long have you been in your current position?
Two years or less . . . . . . . . . . .
3 to 4 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 to 7 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 to 10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 to 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
More than 20 years . . . . . . . . . .
Refused/Not sure . . . . . . . . . .
2b.
35
19
18
10
10
6
2
-
And how long have you been in law enforcement?
Two years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 to 4 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 to 7 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 to 10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 to 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
More than 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refused/Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.
Have you ever served in the narcotics division of a police force?
Have served in narcotics division . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Have NOT served in narcotics division . . . . . . . .
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
1
2
3
8
15
71
-
50
50
-
POLICE FOUNDATION
Officers:*
William H. Webster
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency
Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Chairman
Hubert Williams
President
DRUG STRATEGIES
Officers:*
Neil Goldschmidt
Former Governor of Oregon
Chair
Dr. Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner of Health, New York City
Vice Chair
Mathea Falco
President
Directors:
Dr. Freda Adler
Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice
Dr. Lee P. Brown
Former Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Richard A. Grasso
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
New York Stock Exchange
Dr. W. Walter Menninger
President and Chief Executive Officer
Menninger
William G. Milliken
Former Governor of Michigan
Victor H. Palmieri
The Palmieri Company
Stanley K. Sheinbaum
Former President
Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners
Alfred A. Slocum
Rutgers University Law School
Sally Suchil
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
Spelling Entertainment Group, Inc.
Kathryn J. Whitmire
Harvard University
Directors:
Dr. Michael Crichton
Author
Marian Wright Edelman
President, Children's Defense Fund
Dr. Pedro José Greer
University of Miami School of Medicine
Dr. Dean Jamison
Center for Pacific Rim Studies, UCLA
Robert McNamara
Former President, World Bank
Dr. Robert B. Millman
New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center
Norval Morris
University of Chicago Law School
Howard Prunty
Former President
National Association of Black Social Workers
Herbert Sturz
Vera Institute of Justice
Nancy Dickerson Whitehead
President, Television Corporation of America
Hubert Williams
President, Police Foundation
*at 4/96