Taking the War on Drugs to the Streets: The Perceptual Impact of Four Neighborhood Drug Programs

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Abstract
Citizens' antidrug programs are appearing in inner-city neighborhoods across the country. This study is the first to examine empirically the impact of these programs. The authors identified community drug programs in four large cities and interviewed residents in each about a range of neighborhood characteristics and problems. The investigation compared the responses of residents living in program areas with those of residents living in comparable areas without programs. Results showed that the programs were most likely to affect residents' perceptions of fear of crime, social control, and social cohesion. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.