Drug Policy: Prohibition, Drug Policy: Prohibition, Decriminalization, LegalizationDecriminalization, Legalization

What to Expect in This LectureWhat to Expect in This Lecture

Defining prohibition, legalization and Defining prohibition, legalization and decriminalizationdecriminalization

Class discussion on pros and cons of Class discussion on pros and cons of approaches to drug policyapproaches to drug policy

Introduction of “harm reduction” as Introduction of “harm reduction” as an alternative approach to drug an alternative approach to drug policypolicy

Class discussion of what a “harm Class discussion of what a “harm reduction” policy might look likereduction” policy might look like

ProhibitionProhibition

General policy orientation that defines General policy orientation that defines cultivation, production, distribution and cultivation, production, distribution and possession of substances as criminalpossession of substances as criminal

Involves enforcement of laws at five Involves enforcement of laws at five levels:levels:• Source reductionSource reduction• Border interdictionBorder interdiction• Disruption of high-level distribution networks Disruption of high-level distribution networks

(federal level)(federal level)• Disruption of wholesale distribution networks Disruption of wholesale distribution networks

(state level)(state level)• Disruption of retail distribution networks (state Disruption of retail distribution networks (state

and local levels)and local levels)

LegalizationLegalization

A general policy orientation that A general policy orientation that involves the lifting of all criminal involves the lifting of all criminal andand civil proscriptions and sanctionscivil proscriptions and sanctions

Three separate policy options:Three separate policy options:• Laissez Faire ModelLaissez Faire Model• Limited Distribution ModelLimited Distribution Model• Medical ModelMedical Model

DecriminalizationDecriminalization

Similar to legalization, but with unique Similar to legalization, but with unique featuresfeatures

Is not simply a “compromise” between Is not simply a “compromise” between legalization and prohibitionlegalization and prohibition

Policy that removes Policy that removes criminalcriminal sanctions for sanctions for small amounts of marijuanasmall amounts of marijuana

Nevertheless, growing or possessing Nevertheless, growing or possessing marijuana is marijuana is not legalnot legal—it is simply a civil —it is simply a civil offense rather than a criminal offenseoffense rather than a criminal offense

Currently, 12 states have some form of Currently, 12 states have some form of marijuana decriminalization legislation marijuana decriminalization legislation (see table 11.1)(see table 11.1)

Class Discussion:Class Discussion:Debating Drug PolicyDebating Drug Policy

What are the advantages of:What are the advantages of:• Prohibition?Prohibition?• Legalization?Legalization?• Decriminalization?Decriminalization?

What are the disadvantages of each What are the disadvantages of each of these policies?of these policies?

Based on these advantages and Based on these advantages and disadvantages, how might we disadvantages, how might we approach drug policy for the 21approach drug policy for the 21stst centurycentury

Harm Reduction:Harm Reduction:A Policy AlternativeA Policy Alternative

Harm reductionHarm reduction is a general policy is a general policy orientation that shifts focus away from orientation that shifts focus away from legal status of drugs to policies and legal status of drugs to policies and practices that would reduce harm caused practices that would reduce harm caused by drugs and drug policiesby drugs and drug policies

Based on the following premises:Based on the following premises:• Drug use will never be totally eliminatedDrug use will never be totally eliminated• Drug policies are sometimes more damaging Drug policies are sometimes more damaging

than drug usethan drug use• Risks of Risks of drug usedrug use should be weighed against should be weighed against

the risks posed by the risks posed by drug policiesdrug policies

Harm Reduction:Harm Reduction:Three Levels of InterventionThree Levels of Intervention

Level of Level of InterventionIntervention DefinitionDefinition Policy Policy

ResponsesResponses

Primary Primary InterventionIntervention

Prevention of drug use Prevention of drug use (where possible) and (where possible) and addiction; addiction;

prevention of major prevention of major policy harmpolicy harm

Drug educationDrug educationMarijuana Marijuana decriminalizationdecriminalization

Medical legalizationMedical legalization

Secondary Secondary InterventionIntervention

Limiting severity of Limiting severity of addictionaddiction

Limiting consequences of Limiting consequences of addiction to communityaddiction to community

Needle exchangeNeedle exchange Drug zonesDrug zones

Tertiary Tertiary InterventionIntervention

Limiting consequences of Limiting consequences of severe addiction to usersevere addiction to user

TreatmentTreatment

Harm Reduction:Harm Reduction:A Viable Policy Approach?A Viable Policy Approach?

Discuss the appropriateness of the Discuss the appropriateness of the following harm reduction strategies:following harm reduction strategies:• Drug EducationDrug Education• Needle Exchange ProgramsNeedle Exchange Programs• Drug Use ZonesDrug Use Zones