Some problems with the anti-prohibitionist position on legalization of drugs.
The pro-legal position has mounted cogent arguments to support conclusions that the existing prohibition policy has failed and that legalization, while not a solution to the drug use problem, will effectively eliminate drug related crime. The premise of this article is that a legalization policy is wrong in that the basic assumptions underlying the anti-prohibitionist position are flawed. Prohibition has operated in a social vacuum. It has been an isolated effort substituting for an integrated and well coordinated approach which includes prevention, treatment as well as enforcement and supported by an educated public resolve against illicit drugs.
De Leon
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Center for Therapeutic Community Research (CTCR), New York, NY 10013.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States