Binarisms, regressive outcomes and biases in the drug policy interventions: a theoretical approach.
The golden age of drug policy was characterized by the informal regulation of drug use. Formalization of the control over regulation and its increasingly strict, aggressive character led to the emergence of a binary attitude. The main binarisms: pharmaceutical or drug; ban or tolerance; punishment or treatment; psychopathological or pathopsychological approach; subjective or objective knowledge; traditional or alternative. On the basis of Kuhn's paradigm theory, these binarisms can be integrated. Drug policy interventions based on the binary attitude have had regressive effects. Using the work of Sam Sieber, the author distinguishes nine regressive influences: functional imbalance, perverse diagnosis, ricochet, overload, goal displacement, exploitation, provocation, classification, and placation. The regressive influences have caused the escalation of "the drug problem," which in turn has led to further regressive interventions. This vicious circle could be broken by eliminating the four biases--the paternalistic, elitist, rationalist, and activist biases--underlying the regressive interventions.
Gerevich
József
J
Addiction Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary. gerevichj@axelero.hu
D001317:Austria; D003042:Cocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007391:International Cooperation; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011678:Punishment; D014481:United States
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D006213:Hallucinogens; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D003042:Cocaine