Economic Analysis of Prohibition and Harm Reduction- Theory and Application in the Polish Context

ISBN-13: 9783836421065 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 108 str.

Michael Murtagh

Opis

Prohibitive drug policies have been implemented in varying degrees throughoutthe world. These policies fail when analyzed from the perspective of lawand economics and are in actuality the legislation of dominant morals andprohibition of undesirable behavior. Further, they seem to create the harmthat they are charged with reducing, that is, they increase both drug-relatedcrime and health problems to drug users. Methods of harm reduction, on theother hand, are a pragmatic and open-minded investment in human capitalthat have great potential and a proven success record in reducing addiction,the harmful effects of drugs, and drug-related crime. An analysis of the Polishhistory of drug legislation and harm reduction efforts shows the potential forsuccess of harm reduction in an environment that has become increasinglyprohibitive. This book is addressed to students, legal scholars, law enforcementprofessionals, economists, harm reduction workers, people who usedrugs, and policy makers.