Drug Abuse, Congress and the Fact-Finding Process

This article concerns Congress, its fact-finding process and its legislative efforts designed to deal with problems related to narcotic and drug abuse. In essence, it examines the perspective within which Congress has defined and has attempted to solve the "drug problem" and traces the manner in which the law enforcement and criminal justice bureaucracy gradually came to be the principal architects and purveyors of drug control legisla tion. It also addresses the matter of public accountability and bureaucratic and congressional performance relative to fact-finding and the policy formulation process. Lastly, it provides an assessment of what is required of Congress if it is to undertake more rational and responsible action in reference to the problems of drug use and abuse.