NCJ Number
139000
Date Published
1990
Length
491 pages
Annotation
This book addresses several major issues: the question of whether a War on Drugs actually exists, whether the War on Drugs has successfully realized its objectives, the validity of the familiar justifications for the War on Drugs, possible alternatives to current warlike drug policies, and the reasons why promising alternative policies have not been adopted if the War on Drugs has failed and alternatives are available.
Abstract
Nine chapters of this book develop four theses: Canada continues as an active participant in a genuine war directed against drug users or merchants; this War on Drugs is both a cruel and an expensive failure; much of the popular wisdom that is used to justify this War on Drugs to the public is either unsubstantiated or wrong; and better ways to respond to drug-related problems are available. It is proposed that the War on Drug persists because drugs have come to symbolize deep psychological needs, conflicts, and fears for much of society. An attempt is made to explain this psychological vulnerability and to elucidate the motives that underlie the drug war. 7 tables and 819 references