NCJ Number
140227
Editor(s)
M B Krauss,
E P Lazear
Date Published
1991
Length
491 pages
Annotation
Providing a survey of the drug policy debate, these 25 papers offer new empirical data; present arguments from historical, sociological, legal, medical, economic, and international perspectives; and examine the effectiveness of existing laws and the probable impacts of proposals for decriminalization.
Abstract
An introduction notes that many more than two positions exist. Those who favor drug decriminalization vary in their policy recommendations and the results expected; some of those who oppose drug legalization would permit the legal use of some currently prohibited drugs and others would allow drug use only for well-defined medical purposes. Two historical analyses argue that policy discussions should focus on the kind of criminal laws rather than whether such laws should exist and that the probability of apprehension is more important than the penalties in deterring drug use. Six papers present economic analyses, examining costs and benefits, the effects of price on consumption, externalities, and the effects of the punitive approach. Additional papers examine the nature and effects of drug policies in The Netherlands and Great Britain, the social costs of drug abuse, the implications of legalization, international drug law enforcement, and medical and health implications of drug abuse and legalization. Figures, tables, chapter reference lists, and index