Crack and the Evolution of Anti-Drug Policy: (Contributions in Criminology and Penology)

An authority on anti-drug policy and crack since it became a popular street drug in the mid-1980s, Belenko traces the development of America's policy response in the context of changes in policy that were underway when crack first appeared. He summarizes the state of our knowledge about crack, its pharmacological properties, its use and effects on health and behavior, and its distribution. Moreover, he makes recommendations about policies to deal with the next drug epidemic. This empirical analysis and public policy study is intended for teachers, graduate students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in drug control and treatment, criminal justice law enforcement, and in public administration.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction The Emergence of Crack and the Public Response Media Coverage of the Crack Era Physiological and Psychological Effects of Crack Profiles of Crack Users and Sellers Crack and Criminal Behavior Crack in the Streets: Marketing and Distribution The Criminal Justice System Response Crack and the Future of Anti-Drug Policy Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Steven R. Belenko is Senior Research Fellow at the New York City Criminal Justice Agency. He has directed several major research projects dealing with the relationship between the use or sale of crack and criminal behavior and the use of other illicit drugs and their impact on the criminal justice system. He holds a PhD in experimental psychology from Columbia University and has written at length on crack and anti-drug policy.

Review :
[C]rack is essential reading not only for experts and professionals but average Americans. Belenko painstakingly sifts through the empirical research in pharmacology, criminal behavior, and enforcement to expose the errors of America's recent antidrug policy. . . . Although the study is rich in details of the crack problem, the author sees the big picture, concluding that incarcerating more and more black and Hispanic drug users and low-level sellers has not and will not solve the nation's drug problem and that the key research and policy issue is why so many American's take psychoactive drugs. The work stands out among the antidrug literature for its solid empirical analysis. Highly recommended for all readers. Belenko has tackled an important and complex topic. His book is well written and full of empirical results, and it is certainly to be recommended for serious students of drug policy. It represents a significant countribution to our understanding.