Drugs in society

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Chapter 12

The Issue of Legalizing Drugs

Drugs in Society:
Causes, Concepts, and Control , 7th ed.

The University of Adelaide, School of Computer Science

Chapter 2 — Instructions: Language of the Computer

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Overview

This chapter will enable you to:

• Understand the basis for the drug legalization argument
• Understand the distinctions between decriminalization and legalization
• Appreciate public policy concerns with regard to the legalization issue
• Compare pros and cons of the drug legalization debate
• Learn why legalization has not worked in other countries
• Discover alternative solutions for the reduction of drug abuse

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Public Opinion

While drug use is declining, the public opinion is still:

• Worry about family or loved ones becoming addicted
• The government is doing too little to prevent use
• Drugs are a major problem in the United States

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Government Attempts

• The government has a two-pronged approach: reducing supply and cutting demand
• Government interdiction attempts at reducing supply have had a minimal impact on drug smuggling and cartel attempts to ship their product
• Meanwhile, the government spends millions of dollars each year to curb demand through education, media outlets, and drug treatment programs,
  and drug use has been slowly reduced or remained steady at best

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Legalization Strategies

• Drugs in Amsterdam: The “Dutch Way”
• The British Experiment
• The Alaskan Pot Legalization Experience

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Alternatives

• Deglamorize drugs
• Drug education
• Boycott drugs
• Rehabilitate and counsel
• Target the drug user
• Break down the trafficking infrastructure
• Broaden forfeiture sanctions
• Impose harsh fines

Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved