Forests Of The Night (1970?)

most law enforcement officers are well aware of the urgent problems posed by drugs in our society the effectiveness of the police officer in combating this problem depends in large measure on his ability to recognize the signs of illegal drug activity and to interpret what he sees the law enforcement officer is the front line in our war against drug abuse many law enforcement officers assume that it is easy to identify the junkies and the pushers much of what they read an exaggerated view of what things are like on the street when you're cruising through the streets at night there isn't any obvious way to identify the users for them [Music] [Music] the fact of the matter is there are certain types of behavior sign posts that can help to alert the law enforcement officer to the possibility of illegal drug activity the drug addict in search of easy money to support his habit will often linger around parked cars looking for an open door a key in a lock or an article of value left on the back seat something he can obtain quickly and easily with a minimum of risk he hovers close to the cars casting covered glances at vehicles and often wanders back and forth in the same area seeking to appear as inconspicuous as possible [Music] the police officer should be suspicious of the individual who enters and leaves a succession of stores on the same block spending a few minutes in each store he's probably searching for easy shoplifting opportunities [Music] um [Music] the alert officer also learns to pay special attention to the individual who is inappropriately dressed the long-sleeved sweater in extremely warm weather often serves to cover the tell-tale needle marks of the drug addict another example of behavior that should be of interest to the patrolling officer is the wearing of dark glasses the same corner operating as a team they usually stand just above a sewer which can provide a convenient place for the rapid disposal of narcotics once a suspect has attracted the attention of the police officer it is essential that the officer be able to identify the signs of drug abuse he can learn to identify a shuffling or ambling gate wasn't anything that it removed from my pockets did the officer show these drugs to you show you anything during interrogation the officer should examine the individual's arms for the tell-tale marks of the needle very often the individual will deny the currency of these scars but a careful examination by a qualified physician can easily ascertain the facts i see arms the last time you use narcotics when about three months how do you account for all these needle marks uh they're getting old now what about on the back of your hand oh this is a scratch it's not a needle mark what about here that's uh what about right here right here here no uh someone need a mouse or some on what about the bend of the elbow what are those well this is what i used to uh when i did using among the other physical signs of narcotics addiction is the stumbling and overstepping walk the individual often acts intoxicated but there is no odor of alcohol what were you doing when you were picked up steve um i was kicking cars and denning them creating a little sort of disturbance i was a little angry because i saw some policemen arrest some kids for loitering when they were just standing on the sidewalk you know the suspect may reveal clear evidence of being in the midst of a bad trip reaction he seems out of it distracted and at times listening to other voices his thoughts his speech can be incoherent and he shows great difficulty in focusing his attention on the interrogation a bad situation i see a lot of things that that disturb me and it started to flip me out steve when you were arrested then did you realize what was happening could you have prevented it um well i already went and created quite a disturbance i suppose they were curious as to what was wrong with me it wasn't exactly making much sense i just looked sort of the subject often seems to be talking to himself complaining of difficulty in breathing and other unrelated physical symptoms pretty sick [Music] it's hard to breathe just you know it's just psychological because it's caused by the acid but things that bother it's making it hard to make it hard to breathe just every once in a while steve is this your first time being arrested depending upon which drug is being used other symptoms of drug abuse can be observed some individuals may show a dull and sleepy appearance sterling this morning you were arrested for tampering with an auto do you understand the charges against you yes certainly what were you doing this morning at that time well i was trying to give me some money so i could give me a fix because it was kind of sick this morning and i didn't have my shot when i woke up how long have you been words three years what are you using i use heroin when the last time you took off the last time i took off was last night about what time last night about 11 o'clock how long did you shot things uh it usually lasts maybe a couple of hours sometime i go to sleep on it how much is your shot my [ __ ] is usually ten dollars a day the suspect may sweat profusely regardless of the temperature of this can be indicative of a user who is in need of a fix i'm sick and i really need to fix now if he is on speed pure crystal methadone he will often appear nervous jumpy or overly excitable where are you living now i told the officers where i lived when i was picked up what was that address 1875 meant wood how long have you lived in a couple of weeks i'm really awake some other people i mean like you know i don't see why you know that has to be gotten into he is unusually responsive to sudden sounds and other external stimuli such as light and noise these symptoms remain and reveal themselves throughout any lengthy conversation same type work you do no what type of work i don't know is secretary or something the eyes are often extremely bloodshot and the pupils contracted i told you just a couple of people you and who else just a couple of other people that's all the person who is on speed may evidence hostility and avoids any direct contact with the interrogating officer what you know whose business is that i mean like i live there i'm not doing anything wrong by living there i'm at rent do you pay i don't see what that's got to do with it well it has quite a bit to do with it the last time you actually held a job in this city [Music] the world of the drug user has been described as a forest enveloped by perpetual night if we are to effectively combat drug abuse and treat its victims it is essential that the police officer be able to identify both user and pusher the ability to recognize the less obvious behavior patterns and to identify the physical signs that call attention to the drug user are a major factor in our ability to successfully cope with the rising tide of illegal drugs and their use the law enforcement officer is a major element in our continuing efforts to meet this problem it is his knowledge and skill as a trained professional that will help decide the outcome of this crucial you