Crack Cocaine Users by Daniel Briggs

Author:Daniel Briggs [Briggs, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Criminology
ISBN: 9781136577291
Google: 0AfDAgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-03-01T05:19:06+00:00

Law enforcement drives

Such populations are not only targeted for being ‘problematic’ on the streets but are also targeted in various drug-using locations. In this study, this policy approach is part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2003), which led to local crack house protocols. Rivertown’s Crack House Protocol (2003) was designed to be a joint agreement between the police, the local authority, various housing departments, registered social landlords (RSLs) and voluntary agencies. The rationale was to enhance existing legal procedures, give more power to the police, and speed up the process of closing crack houses. Under the protocol, when drug raids took place, the police were to exchange information with the council to help housing departments take legal action to close down crack houses and to provide support to ‘vulnerable tenants’ who had ‘lost control’ of their properties – either to other drug users or drug dealers. While the implementation of the protocol saw an increase in the number of crack house closures in Rivertown, it was difficult to conclude that the overall number of crack houses in Rivertown had decreased (Webster et al., 2001). No evaluation of its impact was undertaken. Moreover, many crack users said that other crack houses became available as others were closed down (Burgess, 2003).

Nevertheless, central government research was quick to celebrate its success. In 2003/04 there had been ‘over 100 crack houses raided ... over 50 arrests ... and over 55 referrals [to treatment]’ (Bovaird, 2004: 4). However, it was difficult to discern whether all the properties were ‘crack houses’ or, indeed, how well those who were referred did in treatment, even if they were referred and managed to turn up. The issue received further examination the following year after another batch of crack house closures, although there was still ambiguity in what the police considered to be a ‘crack house’. Local police data showed that, from April 2004 to June 2005, there were 105 referrals to the Rivertown Crack House Protocol; however, after initial investigation, 53 were not considered to be ‘crack houses’. Local research found significant gaps in the protocol and its strategy. Bailie (2003) found there was a lack of a police/local authority communication strategy on drugs; lack of police/community consultation on the drugs issue; insufficient involvement of partner agencies in police operations; and a lack of planning to follow through and prevent displacement from police operations.

Crack users feel that more intensive help should be systematically offered to those tenants affected by the closure of such properties. One housing officer said that after crack house evictions, drug users are not referred to drug support services: ‘People do get evicted from a crack house or put in prison and are not helped. It is probably when they need most help.’ Moreover, when crack houses are closed, another seems to open in the nearby area – even in the same street: ‘This one that got raided the other day, they’ve started up two blocks away again. They were over at 19 first – that got raided – then they went over to 29 – that got raided – now they’re at 39’ [Lady Di].

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