Assessment of Methods Used by State and Local Governments To Estimate Drug Abuse Levels

• NCJ Number: 133108
• Author(s): R H Milkman; E McDevitt; R Feldman; N Landson
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 52 pages
• Grant Number(s): 87-IJ-CX-0043
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

A survey of 200 jurisdictions and case studies of 12 States with exemplary approaches gathered information about how State and local governments assess the extent of drug abuse.

Abstract

Information was sought from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 73 cities, and 81 counties. Responses came from 48 states, 68 percent of the cities, and 56 percent of the counties. The survey was completed by September 1988. Results indicated that most jurisdictions are not directing substantial resources to drug abuse assessment, but they are gathering a wide range of data on drug use. Most use elementary approaches to analyze the available data, although a few jurisdictions use relatively sophisticated methodologies. In addition, jurisdictions generally lack great confidence in their assessments. Moreover, very few jurisdictions are as capable as the Federal government at estimating levels of drug abuse, although some model programs exist that would be replicated inexpensively in other jurisdictions. Findings indicated the need to improve analysis procedures, devote more resources to assessment, and provide a training manual and course on the subject. Figures, footnotes, and appended survey instrument and description of scoring methodology. For related reports, see NCJ-133109-11.