Crime Control Digest - Drug Abuse: It's Worse Than The Government Reveals, NIDA Report States

Sep 29, 2026

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Crime Control Digest issue centers on allegations that national drug abuse is worse than government disclosures. The article highlights a 1987 NIDA survey released by Rep. Charles B. Rangel and questions why it was labeled for limited administrative use, with only a small print run and withheld public distribution. It summarizes reported increases across multiple cities, citing sharp rises in cocaine-related emergency room episodes, overdose deaths, and positive urinalysis testing, alongside ongoing heroin and emerging LSD/PCP trends. Subsequent sections address policy responses and enforcement measures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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Crime Control Digest

Drug Abuse: It's Worse Than The Government Reveals, NIDA Report States

WASHINGTON CRIME NEWS SERVICES' # ·Crime Control Digest AComprohonslve and Indopondont Newe Summary for thoLaw Enforcoment Profossional Vol.21 No.42 Let's Get The Facts... ## DRUG ABUSE UPNATIONWIDE,NIDA SURVEY SAYS,BUT REAGANTEAM CLAIMS USE IS DOWN Rep.Rangel Wants To Know WhyThe NIDA Report Is Being Hidden Congressman Charles B.Rangel(D-N.Y.),chairman of the House Select Committee on Nar-cotics Abuse and Control,on Oct.7 released aNational Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA)surveyshowing what Rangel called“startling increases”in drug use during 1986 and the first quarter of1987. The NIDA(of the Department of Heath andHuman Services)report,Patterns and Trends ofDrug Abuse in the United States and Europe,waslabeled “for administrative use only,”and only500 copies were printed,according to NIDA's press office.NIDA told Rangel that the368-page document was for “internal use only,”and was “not sold to the public.” Rangel asked:“Why do Attorney GeneralEd Meese,HHS Secretary Otis Bowen,andWhite House Drug Assistant to the President IanMacDonald routinely cite selective numbers show-ing supposed stabilizing of drugs,and why do theyhold news conferences on big busts,but then notdistribute and spotlight a critical survey like thisshowing dramatic upsurges in drug abuse in cityafter city?” The report gives numbers for 20 cities. "The answer,"Rangel offered,"is that theAdministration wants only to emphasize 'spec-taculars'while denying an increasing problem.The Administration apparently feels that recogniz-ing the true upsurge could make their policy of (Continwed on page two) October 19,1987 IN THIS ISSUE DRUG ABUSE:It's Worse Than The Government Reveals,NIDA Report States… ……1BORDERS:Arrests Down.INS Says …3MALE DRIVERS:West Germans Are Frustrated……3P&R:Basic Training Scheduled.… ……………3NTSB:What Drunk Driver Study Found…… …4FORD CROWN VICTORIAS:Beware!… … 5WHITE HOUSE:Seeks Help From You…… …5JOB LISTINGS…… …… …6“LEFTWING LOONIES”:Control Congress,Rep.Bob Walker Claims…… …6And Fleeing Defendants… …7TERRORISM:IACPWorkshop Planned… …8DRUG INTERVENTION:Northeastern Chiefs Meet To Discuss Strategies… … ……8FBI:Crime Inereases Very Slightly… … …9PUNISHMENT:Conference Scheduled… ……9BUCKLE-UP!Surviving Officers Glad They Did …10ACLU:Has To Pay Officer's Attorney… …10 FLORIDA GUN LOOPHOLE CLOSED Open carrying of guns was again forbidden in Florida asGov.Bob Martinez(R)signed a new law on Oct.9 whichwas hastily passed to close a legal loophole. CRIM CONTROL DIGEST anti-drug program cuts and no full-time drugleadership look bad.” Rep.Benjamin A.Gilman(R-N.Y).rankingRepublican on the Narcotics Committee,agreedwith Rangel,stating:"HHS and NIDA must dis-seminate such critical information widely.TheAmerican people need to know all the news—thebad news along with the good news.People needto know that drug abuse is rapidly rising in manyareas so that we can provide strong leadership andallocate substantial resources to stop it.” ## What NIDA Found... Some findings in the NIDA survey cited by Rangel andGilman indicate: “Cocaine remains a predominant drug of abusethroughout the country." ●“Several city reports indicate the continuing andsometimes increasing abuse of heroin.” ●In Phoer.ix,cocaine “emergency room episodesrose 163 percent over the previous six months.InSeattle,emergency rooms reported nearly 100 casesper quarter compared to 62 in 1985.In St.Louis,a significant increase from 44 in 1984 to 120 in 1986occurred.In Chicago,(cocaine)emergency roommentions increased consistently from 45 per monthin 1984 to 132 permonth in 1986.” ● There has been a"dramatic increase in overdosedeaths(from all drugs)in Washington,D.C.overthe past ten years,ranging from a low of seven in1978 to an all time high of 144 in 1985(and thesame rate currently).In particular,there is anincreasing number of deaths associated with c

FAQs

What does the NIDA survey discussed in this issue report about drug abuse trends?

It presents findings of increases in drug abuse in multiple cities, emphasizing significant rises in cocaine-related emergency room episodes, overdose deaths, and test positivity among charged defendants.

Why does Rep. Charles B. Rangel question the handling of the NIDA report?

Rangel argues the report was restricted to administrative use, with limited printing and no public distribution, despite government officials citing selective figures that suggest stabilization.

What specific indicators are cited for cocaine and heroin in the findings section?

The article cites emergency room episode increases, overdose death trends, and urinalysis results for cocaine, along with continued and sometimes increasing heroin abuse admissions and treatment-related statistics in several cities.

Sep 29, 2026

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