Assessment of Alternative Sanctions for Drug Offenses

For the National Institute of Justice, ILJ conducted a research project on the relative merits of four drug arrest dispositions that serve as alternatives to incarceration for minor drug offenses: (1) suspension and postponement of driving privileges; (2) asset forfeiture; (3) local ordinances for minor drug offenses; and (4) land use controls, including nuisance abatement and zoning laws. The research design included a thorough assessment of the procedural and legal issues surrounding the alternatives; an assessment of their impact on the criminal justice system, especially prosecutors and judges; and an evaluation of their general and specific deterrence values.