Professor's book receives 'outstanding academic title' award

"Drug Smugglers on Drug Smuggling: Lessons From the Inside," a book co-written by Scott Decker, professor and director of ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was chosen by the American Library Association as an "Outstanding Academic Title" of 2008 in the category of sociology.

The book was selected by editors of the American Library Association's "Choice" magazine as one of the most significant print and electronic works reviewed last year. Appearing annually in the January issue, this prestigious list of publications attracts attention from the academic library community.

Decker's book examines the underworld of international drug smuggling and is based on interviews he and Margaret Townsend Chapman conducted with 34 drug smugglers serving long sentences in federal prison. Chapman is an associate at Abt Associates Inc.

Their research was funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs Service.

In addition, Scott's solo-authored 2008 book, "A Guidebook for Local Law Enforcement Strategies to Address Gang Crime," has been nominated for the National Association of Government Communicators  Blue Pencil/Gold Screen Awards. The book was published by the U.S. Department of Justice.