NCJ Number
29278
Date Published
1975
Length
352 pages
Annotation
TURNING FROM THE MUCH-STUDIED DRUG USER, THIS BOOK PRESENTS A COMPREHENSIVE, CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DRUG PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS FOUND THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS LIES WITHIN THE AGENCIES THEMSELVES (THE COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS AND THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD OF THE UN, AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION), WHICH OPERATE LIKE A GENTLEMEN'S CLUB IN THEIR NARROWNESS AND ADHERENCE TO TRADITION. DOCUMENTED WITH INTERVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES, THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB TRACES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPLEX SYSTEM OF LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS OVER DRUG PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION, AND EXAMINES THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS, NATIONS, AND INTEREST GROUPS IN THIS PROCESS. THE AUTHORS SCRUTINIZE THE SEVENTY-YEAR BATTLE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND UNCOVER A SAD HISTORY. MISPLACED PRIORITIES, DISAGREEMENTS OVER THE JURISDICTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS, CONFLICTING NATIONAL INTERESTS, THE INFLUENCE OF PRESSURE GROUPS, AND, FINALLY, THE PROFESSIONAL SHORTCOMINGS OF THE INDIVIDUALS ADMINISTRATING THESE AGENCIES ARE CITED. PREPARED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROUP ON DRUG LEGISLATION AND PROGRAMS, THE STUDY INCLUDES A NUMBER OF CONCRETE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE. THE AUTHORS DO NOT PLEAD FOR THE REMOVAL OF CONTROLS BUT SUGGEST THAT, INSTEAD OF CONTINUING FUTILE ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE, EFFORTS SHOULD BE CHANNELED TO A MORE PRACTICAL GOAL--MINIMIZING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE. THEY ALSO URGE THE CONTROLLING ORGANIZATIONS TO SHIFT THEIR CONCEPTION OF 'PROBLEM COUNTRIES' FROM DEVELOPING NATIONS TO INDUSTRALIZED ONES--BEGINNING WITH THE UNITED STATES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)