Crack in Australia: Why Is There No Problem? (From Crack in America: Demon Drugs and Social Justice, P 194-213, 1997, Craig Reinarman and Harry G Levine, eds. - See NCJ-170648)

• NCJ Number: 170657
• Author(s): S K Mugford
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: University of California Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

Australia has not experienced a cocaine epidemic, and explanations for this are offered that focus on contingent factors and social-structural factors.

Abstract

There is some cocaine use in Australia but virtually no crack use, due in part to the country's social-structural features. While some individuals among the metropolitan middle and working classes use cocaine, Australia has not experienced a significant amount of urban drug trafficking because of greater racial tolerance and a stronger safety net for the poor. Drug supply in Australia is restricted by geography and by the absence of a class of people for whom crack is perhaps the only available means of material success. In addition, Australia has a less punitive regulatory system. Differences between Australia and the United States in drug regulation, supply, and demand and in resulting drug problems are related to political-economic differences. By taking care of its citizens, Australia has not created an environment where drug epidemics can take root. Additional theoretical information on cocaine and crack use and on drug effects is appended. 50 references, 5 notes, and 2 tables