NCJ Number
158931
Journal
Science Volume: 249 Dated: (September 28, 1990) Pages: 1513-1521
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Drug policies should strike the proper balance between reducing the harm done by psychoactive drugs and reducing the harm resulting from strict legal prohibitions and their enforcement.
Abstract
Psychoactive drugs are, to varying degrees, dangerous to users and society, and drug consumption is strongly influenced by drug availability. Although supply reduction is a desirable goal, demand reduction is the real key to resolving the drug problem, and drug policies should be tailored to the dangers presented by psychoactive drugs to users and society. Addictive drugs have two special characteristics with policy implications: (1) long-term administration produces a state of physical dependence; and (2) with the development of physical dependence, there is a tendency to escalate dosage because the same dose is no longer as effective as it was before. The compulsive nature of drug addiction presents a special danger because there is no way to predict who is at greatest risk of becoming addicted. Studies show that cognitive factors play a role in moderating the behavior of individuals who try psychoactive drugs but who do not become addicted. Because drug availability affects drug consumption, rational drug policies should strike a balance between the punitive criminal justice response and drug legalization. Recommendations for dealing with the drug problem are offered that focus on supply reduction and on demand reduction through prevention, education, treatment, and research. 76 references and 2 tables