Rethinking the Drug Problem (From Drugs, Crime, and Justice: Contemporary Perspectives, P 403-426, 1997, Larry K Gaines and Peter B Kraska, eds. -- See NCJ-165819)

• NCJ Number: 165836
• Author(s): J H Skolnick
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

The drug problem has two facets, abuse and addiction of both legal and illegal drugs and crime and violence associated with drug use and drug trafficking, and current drug law enforcement strategies have had little impact on either of these areas.

Abstract

Some individuals believe the expansion of drug law enforcement does not adequately recognize why people use and sell drugs, underestimates dilemmas faced by law enforcement in controlling the distribution and use of drugs, and is insensitive to social and economic underpinnings of drug marketing and drug use. These same individuals favor the decriminalization of drugs. In contrast, other individuals support expanded drug law enforcement efforts, even though efforts to date have not eliminated the drug problem. The sale of drugs is economically motivated and is thus responsive to market incentives and disincentives. In addition, permeable borders make the effectiveness of drug interdiction questionable, and drug traffickers operate in many cases by corrupting public officials. Attempting to solve the drug problem by imprisoning more drug users and drug sellers may actually worsen the drug problem at the street level. Various drug control strategies are described, including drug education and drug legalization. The authors recommend the drug problem be redefined as a public health and social problem. 64 endnotes