NCJ Number
127362
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1990) Pages: 639-646
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Efforts in the United States to eradicate drug addiction fail because they are based on a fundamental misconception of the nature of addiction. In contract, an accurate view of addiction provides strong clues about policies that can reduce its dangers. The most successful antidotes to addition are pro-social values and behavior.
Abstract
A value, skill, and environmentally oriented approach to addiction will be more effective than current medical and admonitory approaches to drug abuse. Although a values-skills-environmental approach recognizes that values are crucial in the formation and maintenance of addiction, it is actually less moralistic than approaches that view abstinence from drugs as the only healthy and moral lifestyle. 6 references (Author abstract)