NCJ Number
117774
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (January/February 1989) Pages: 316-332
Date Published
1989
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This critical review and commentary regarding five papers discussing issues related to the legalization of drugs concludes that drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine should not be legalized and that those who advocate legalization should put forward serious and comprehensive policy documents that address all the major questions and avoid repeating assertions that are based on ideological blindness.
Abstract
Jon Gettman proposes the decriminalization of marijuana but has grossly oversimplified his analysis and fails to address the failure of the current efforts to regulate the use of legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco among youth. Arnold Trebach proposes fundamental changes in current drug policies, but overlooks the addictiveness of heroin and cocaine and makes other questionable assertions. Steven Jonas provided generalizations without support or evidence and appears to be uninformed about marijuana's role as a gateway drug. Karst Besteman effectively suggests that the imagery of war in the so-called war on drugs is inappropriate, but his article is not developed fully enough to provide a basis for extended comment. James Inciardi and Duane McBride have presented in detail their assumptions and arguments against legalization and have noted important factors that should be considered in evaluating the formulating of the drug policies of the next administration. Both the proponents and the opponents of legalization agree on the need for greater availability of treatment for addicts, however. 15 references. For the articles critiqued in this paper, see NCJ 117769-73.