Citation

Dellon ES, Lewis DC, Gear CA. J. Prim. Prev. 1997; 17(4): 383-406.

Affiliation

Lewis, D.C., Center for Alcohol/Addiction Studies, Brown University, Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, United States

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current United States drug policy is not succeeding; it neither significantly reduces the supply nor the demand for illicit drugs. This paper and its accompanying table explores alternatives to the current national policy. None of the options discussed offers a panacea to our problems; each has various flaws and advantages. The analysis uses a harm reduction approach, and examines certain variables in order to assess relative costs and benefits of each option. The debate can be reduced to one fundamental question: which policy proposal is politically feasible and can minimize harm while maximizing benefits? Health and public health professional are urged to become more proactive on behalf of a more effective policy.

Language: en