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 foundations 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 Americas 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

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.

THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM

THE
NATION'S CHIEFS OF POLICE AND THE

communities (25,000 to 100,000 residents) and those in small towns (fewer than 25,000 residents) rank drug abuse right behind 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.

American public agree: drug abuse is a huge problem that is growing worse. Fifty-eight percent of police chiefs say that drug abuse is 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. Indeed, chiefs of police regard drug abuse as the most serious problem in their

Seriousness of Problems in Your Community

THE
NATION'S POLICE CHIEFS ALSO BELIEVE

communitiesmore serious than domestic violence, burglary and theft, or violent crime. The figures are even more dramatic in America's large cities: 82% of police chiefs in large cities (with populations greater than 100,000) say drug abuse is an extremely (45%) or quite serious (37%) problem in their communities. Police chiefs in medium-sized 2

that drug abuse drives up crime in their communities. One in two police chiefs regard theft and burglary by drug users as an extremely or quite serious problem in their community; more than one in three say the same thing about violent crime associated 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 associated with drug trafficking as another serious problem for their communities. No matter what size community they serve, two-thirds of police chiefs believe that drug abuse has been growing instead of shrinking over the past five years. In the survey a year ago, two-thirds of Americans expressed the same opinion. ought not to include decriminalization of drugs; 90% believe that would be a step in the wrong direction.

Best Way to Deal with the Drug Problem

FROM
THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON THE front

lines of the war against drugs,

the nation's chiefs of police widely reject the 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. AMERICA'S POLICE CHIEFS FAVOR PROACTIVE strategies over reactive approaches to the 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 controlling the drug problem in the United States is education, while more than one in four (28%) believe the most effective strategy is interdiction. When asked to choose between the two alternatives, a majority of police chiefs in large and medium-sized communities believe it would be a step in the 3

THE NEED FOR A NEW PARADIGM

AMERICA'S
CHIEFS OF POLICE BELIEVE IT IS

time for a new approach to the drug problem. Fully 60% of police chiefs believe that police 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

AS
A RESULT , AN OVERWHELMING

PROPORTION (85%) of all police chiefs call for

major changes in the way we deal with the drug problem, including nearly half who say a "fundamental overhaul" is needed. Yet, chiefs of police are emphatic that a major overhaul in the approach to the drug problem

POLICE FOUNDATION wrong direction to shift federal funding from prevention and treatment programs to border patrols and intercepting drugs before they reach the United States. Few police chiefs believe the problem can best be controlled by focusing on approaches that deal with the problem after the fact: only 15% favor punishment, and only 5% favor treatment as the best approach. POLICE

DRUG STRATEGIES

DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE

country are trying a wide range of programs to deal with the drug problem. More than 90% of police chiefs report participation by their department in drug education programs in the schools; over 80% employ street-level "buy-bust" efforts and neighborhood watch and community policing programs; and over 70% engage in directed patrol activities and street-sweeps. Except in small towns, a

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

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 interdiction. A majority of police chiefs say that treatment programs for drug offenders are difficult to find in their communities, whereas two-thirds of police chiefs in less populated areas say that treatment programs are readily or fairly available. Moreover, twothirds 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.

throughout the country regard drug abuse as a major problem in their communities, but it is large-city chiefs who are most prepared to look beyond tougher law enforcement for 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 48% plurality of police chiefs emphasize the need to address the underlying causes by improving drug education, prevention, and treatment programs for those who need them.

POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK TO AMERICA

FINALLY, WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT SIMPLY to listen to the voices of America's chiefs of police and hear their views about the drug problem in the United States. The following quotations demonstrate the extent to which chiefs of police believe drugs are a major threat to their communities, but the excerpts also show that not all police chiefs agree on the right approach to the problem. The one point of near unanimity is the belief that it will take a balanced combination of different strategies to reduce the havoc created by drug abuse.

Emphasis in Dealing with DrugRelated Crime

In describing the most serious limitations on their ability to deal successfully with the drug problem, chiefs of police in medium-sized and small communities say their greatest need is more resources for law enforcement. Largecity police chiefs, on the other hand, are calling for more places in treatment programs.

Limitations in Dealing with Drug Problems

Indeed, a majority of large-city police chiefs 5

POLICE FOUNDATION

DRUG STRATEGIES

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 attitudeleft 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

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 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 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

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 We need a federal drug strategy. There's too many agencies working on the drug problem but not working together. Medium-sized Southern 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 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

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:

FINAL Male Study #4553 Police Chiefs February/March 1996 Female

All Police Chiefs 97 3

Large Cities 95 5

Medium Communities 97 3

Small Towns 99 1

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 Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 23 -

2.

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 communityan 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 Just Somewhat Serious Problem 39 18 43 48 31

Extremely Serious Problem Drug abuse All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 45 18 14 27

Quite Serious Problem 35 37 37 33 25

Not A Problem 3 2 4 12

Not Sure 1 5

POLICE CHIEFS SPEAK OUT

Domestic violence All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Property crimes, such as burglary and theft All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Violent crimes, such as homicide and assault All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. 9 27 3 2 14 33 10 7 43 36 59 40 34 3 28 51 1 9 14 9 7 16 30 38 28 28 19 55 46 60 58 37 5 1 3 7 26 1 1 2 14 17 5 15 41 50 52 34 41 31 43 45 3 6 1 2 -

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 departmentan 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 Just Somewhat Serious Problem 42 24 48 48

Extremely Serious Problem Thefts and burglaries by drug users All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Violent crime associated with drug trafficking All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gang activity associated with drug trafficking All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 24 7 1 13 27 11 7 19 34 15 13

Quite Serious Problem 31 41 37 23

Not A Problem 8 1 15

Not Sure 1

24 46 22 14

34 25 35 38

29 2 30 41

2 -

13 29 12 5

31 38 38 25

48 9 41 69

2 -

POLICE FOUNDATION

DRUG STRATEGIES

Domestic violence involving drug use All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traffic accidents involving drug use All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 9 7 12 9 48 66 42 41 39 23 43 46 2 4 3 1 7 9 2 8 20 25 15 19 50 52 55 47 21 9 23 26 2 5 5 -

4.

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? All Police Chiefs 34 29 31 5 1 Medium communities 27 28 38 5 2 American Public 2/95 46 22 25 5 1 1

A much greater problem . . . . . . . . . A somewhat greater problem . . . . . About the same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Somewhat less of a problem . . . . . . Much less of a problem . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Large Cities 35 31 26 7 1

Small Towns 36 28 31 4 1

5.

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

10

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 Statesvery successful, fairly successful, fairly unsuccessful, or very unsuccessful? All Police Chiefs 3 34 44 16 3 Large Cities 3 34 45 15 3 Medium Communities 2 33 41 22 2 Small Towns 3 35 45 15 2

Very successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairly successful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairly unsuccessful . . . . . . . . . . . . Very unsuccessful . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.

When you think about the way we deal with the drug problem in the United States, which comes closest to your own point of viewthat 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? 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

Fundamental overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A few major changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Some minor changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintain same approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.

Based on what you know, how available are treatment programs for drug offenders in your communityreadily available, fairly available, fairly difficult to find, or very difficult to find in your community? 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

Readily available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairly available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairly difficult to find . . . . . . . . . . . Very difficult to find . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9a.

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? 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

Criminal justice system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prevention and treatment programs . . . . . . Both equally (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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? All Police Chiefs 21 47 30 2 Large Cities 10 61 27 2 Medium Communities 12 52 33 3 Small Towns 30 39 30 1

Greater law enforcement effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More assistance in education, prevention, and treatment . . . . . Both equally (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.

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. 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 -

Statement A/stricter approach . . . . . . . Statement B/deal with the causes . . . . . Some of both (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neither (VOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11a.

Which one of the following strategies do you feel would be the most effective approach to controlling the drug problem in the United Stateseducation, interdiction, treatment, or punishment? THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH Q.11a Most Effective Approach All Police Chiefs 47 28 15 5 5 Large Cities 60 16 10 10 4 Medium Communities 52 28 5 5 10 Small Towns 38 34 20 4 4 Q.11b Second-Most Effective Approach 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

Education . . . . . . . . . . . Interdiction . . . . . . . . . . Punishment . . . . . . . . . . Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . .

12

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shifting federal funding from drug prevention and treatment programs to border patrols and intercepting drugs before they reach the U.S. All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cutting back on federal funding for community drug courts in which nonviolent drug offenders are given a choice between prison and supervised treatment All police chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Large cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . American public (February 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 23 20 28 45 69 74 73 65 49 6 3 7 7 6 55 32 43 70 39 58 52 25 6 10 5 5 57 29 61 69 40 68 37 27 3 3 2 4

13.

Do you feel that decriminalization of drugs would be a step in the right direction, or a step in the wrong direction? All Police Chiefs 6 90 4 Large Cities 1 94 5 Medium Communities 7 88 5 Small Towns 8 88 4

A step in the right direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A step in the wrong direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

POLICE FOUNDATION

DRUG STRATEGIES

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. All Police Chiefs 1 59 13 15 10 1 1 Medium Communities 72 9 8 8 3 -

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Large Cities 68 13 4 13 1 1

Small Towns 2 49 15 23 10 1

American Public 2/95 2 50 12 31 2 1 2

15.

From your perspective, how effective have mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession been in reducing drug trafficking in your communityvery 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.) All Police Chiefs Medium Communities 93 93 95 82 65 57 -

Large Cities 97 99 91 91 84 80 -

Small Towns 90 73 77 59 33 39 1

Drug education programs in the public schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Street-level "buy-bust" efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neighborhood watch and community policing programs focused on drugs . . Directed patrol activities and street sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organized crime unit with responsibilities for drug enforcement . . . . . . . . . Civil code enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure/refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16b.

92 84 84 72 52 53 1

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 All Police Chiefs Medium Communities 35 7 15 10 17 3 13

Large Cities 13 13 16 17 14 3 24

Small Towns 38 23 10 13 8 1 7

Drug education programs in the public schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Street-level "buy-bust" efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neighborhood watch and community policing programs focused on drugs . . Directed patrol activities and street sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organized crime unit with responsibilities for drug enforcement . . . . . . . . . Civil code enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure/refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31 17 13 13 11 2 13

15

POLICE FOUNDATION

DRUG STRATEGIES

17.

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. 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. 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 50 1 2 3 8 15 71 35 19 18 10 10 6 2 1 3 9 21 27 21 13 4 1 -

16

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 Jos 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