POLICY OPTIONS AND SOCIAL ISSUES - THE REGULATION OF DRUG ABUSE (FROM PROBLEMS OF DRUG ABUSE IN BRITAIN, 1978, BY D J WEST - SEE NCJ-48378)

• NCJ Number: 48388
• Author(s): M J POWER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Cambridge
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY ON ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR ARE DESCRIBED, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL POLICY IN THE REGULATION OF DRUG USE ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

EVIDENCE IS PRODUCED TO SHOW THAT MAJOR CHANGES ARE OCCURRING IN THE STRUCTURE OF BRITISH SOCIETY THAT HAVE PRODUCED AN OPENNESS WHICH REQUIRES MANY MORE DAILY DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY EACH INDIVIDUAL. IMPROVEMENTS IN INCOME, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH HAVE GREATLY INCREASED THE PACE OF SOCIAL MOBILITY AND PRODUCED A SOCIETY WHERE CITIZENS EXPECT A GREATER SAY IN THE DECISIONS THAT REGULATE THEIR BEHAVIOR. THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE A REDISTRIBUTION IN THE SHARING OF POWER AND A PERVASIVE RESISTANCE TO BEING TOLD HOW TO BEHAVE. THIS SOCIAL EMANCIPATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH GREATER STRAIN WITHIN THE JOB, FAMILY, AND GENERAL SOCIAL FABRICS. INCREASED DRUG USE IS CITED AS A POPULARLY ACCEPTED MEANS OF EASING THIS STRESS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT POLICIES ON DRUGS SHOULD BE DERIVED FROM A SENSITIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS EASING THE STRAINS OF MAJOR SOCIAL CHANGE. PRIORITY TO PREVENTION IS RECOMMENDED BY THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE HOUSING TO MAINTAIN INTERGENERATIONAL NETWORKS, CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION TO FACILITATE FAMILY CONTACT, AND ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR RECREATION. DRUG POLICIES THAT TRY UNILATERALLY TO REGULATE ONE SUBSTANCE AFTER ANOTHER ARE CONSIDERED USELESS. THE USE OF EDUCATION, THE MEDIA, AND SELECTED SUBSIDIES TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE OF DRUG USE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IS SUGGESTED, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG ABUSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A SHARED ENDEAVOR BETWEEN PRIVATE CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ACTING APART FROM PENAL SANCTIONS. MOVES TO MODERATE THE MANUFACTURE OF DRUGS, CUT DOWN ON AMOUNTS PRESCRIBED BY DOCTORS, AND TO PROTECT VULNERABLE GROUPS FROM THE RISK OF OVERDEPENDENCE ARE SUPPORTED. IT IS HELD THAT HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SHOULD BE DELIVERED EARLY TO THE ADDICTED, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF GRADUALLY AND APPROPRIATELY REDUCING PENAL MEASURES SO THAT THE MOST SERIOUS DRUG PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE GREATEST NUMBER ATTRACT THE GREATEST ATTENTION. GRAPHS, SUPPORTING DATA AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)