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This article discusses resources in relation to the individual, using the symbolic interactionist perspective to systematize the view that resources are symbols and cannot be understood apart from social worlds. According to the article, resources have no intrinsic meaning; they are defined, and redefined, by individuals in society and by those who study them. U.S. citizens now notice things that previously went unnoticed. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the current energy crisis. Economists must now think in terms of production and consumption as having adverse rather than positive effects. For example, there is concern that the manufacture of nitrogen may destroy the ozone in the earth's upper atmosphere. In a similar vein, land is now thought of in terms of political, economic, and psychological terms. It is this symbolic construction of reality that is the focus of this article. Environmental scholars have not sufficiently emphasized the role of symbols in the individual's relation to the environment. While the energy- producing qualities of resources are important, the authors contend that at least equal attention should be given to the way resources are defined and the way individuals act on these definitions.

Presents the content analysis of newspaper political advertisements to examine selected aspects of the voting studies of the Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan. Need to determine the attitudes of the media creators and viewers; Representation of the resource for theoretical verification and creativity within political sociology; Focus on political party identification, candidate appeal and issue orientation.

The punishment issue is immersed in a maze of complicated issues, assumptions and competing ideologies. Some of these are considered. Factors contributing to the dilemma are considered. Questions and selected comments are offered concerning the major contenders in the dilemma-retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and integration. The resolution of the punishment must ultimately come to terms with the question, what values do we try to support and sustain and what values do we sacrifice and deempha-size? The punishment issue is imbedded in a maze of complicated issues, conflicts, and erroneous beliefs. This paper raises a variety of questions, considers some of the areas which in this writer's opinion need to be addressed in dealing with the punishment dilemma, presents selected observations with respect to the major competing theories of punishment and offers some concluding observations on the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper is concerned with the implications of Hagan's negative assessment of the contributions of symbolic interactionism to the study of deviance. The logic of evaluating selected seminal works without reference to recent contributions of the symbolic interactionists in deviance and other areas is challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on specific methods that were used in a longitudinal Study in which 94% of the subjects cooperated at the time or at recontact after a two-year interval The probable factors responsible for this success are described, including details regarding the preparation prior to the study, approaching the subject, establishing rapport at initial contact, and the maintenance of rapport throughout the study. It is hoped this description will encourage others to provide similar reports on their methods and be helpful to those pursuing comparable research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role and effects of police activity in the enforcement of drug laws are examined wing the economic tools of supply and demand analysis. In view of the epidemic nature of the drug abuse problem and its obvious economic aspects, the infrequent application of economic analysis in the area seems an anomaly. This analysis suggests I/tat some of our current enforcement practices are apparently futile. It is clear, however, that no simple solution to illicit drug abuse exists because of the interdependence of the markets for different drugs, because of the interplay between the supply and demand sides of most clandestine drug markets, and because of changing social mores and legal standards. Several important implications for the activities of police are evident. Vigorous drug law enforcement by police appears to be counterproductive and dysfunctional wizen it is: (1) directed at drugs such as heroin which are addictive in nature and which have price inelastic (unresponsive) demands; and (2) directed primarily at the supply side of the market. Supply-reducing law enforcement activities will apparently not be counterproductive and will not really increase the number and character of crimes if it is directed at drugs which are nonaddictive in nature (for example, marihuana), and which have price elastic (responsive) demands. Demand-reducing policies are more appropriate for addicting chugs such as heroin. Demand-reducing polices analysed include: (1) education; (2) rehabilitative incarceration; and (3) drug substitutes such as methadone. The role of police in demand-reducing policies is probably smaller, however, than their corresponding role in supply-reducing policies. The role of police in a medically-oriented approach similar to that existing in (eat Britain is also minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on work furlough and punishment theory. Work furlough is one of several modifications of traditional correctional methods and procedures which has enjoyed increasing and sustained interest in the U.S. and other countries in recent years. As with many correctional procedures work furlough is viewed with considerable variation by different statutes and observers as a condition of or special form of probation and as a bridge between imprisonment and society. In recent years there has been a strong tendency to talk about work furlough within the framework of community based correctional programs. The conceptualization of work furlough is in fact quite varied and we find a wide range of activities carried on under the work furlough banner.

Provides information on a study which investigated the mobility of drug users in the U.S. Limited consideration given to the impact of narcotic control policies upon the mobility of drug addicts; Discussion on the effectiveness of Nalline Test as an anti-narcotic testing procedure; Effect of the Nalline Test on the mobility and time in the Nalline program.

The sheriff typically occupies a key position in county- administered work-release programs. Therefore, his views on work release are important, and he is an excellent source of information. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]