title: Collective action and individual choice: rethinking how we regulate narcotics and antibiotics.
abstract: Governments across the globe have squandered treasure and imprisoned millions of their own citizens by criminalising the use and sale of recreational drugs. But use of these drugs has remained relatively constant, and the primary victims are the users themselves. Meanwhile, antimicrobial drugs that once had the power to cure infections are losing their ability to do so, compromising the health of people around the world. The thesis of this essay is that policymakers should stop wasting resources trying to fight an unwinnable and morally dubious war against recreational drug users, and start shifting their attention to the serious threat posed by our collective misuse of antibiotics.
authors: Jonny
authors: J
authors: Anomaly
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005610:Freedom; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011634:Public Health / Q000941:ethics*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Autonomy; Coercion; Criminal Law; Drugs and Drug Industry; Public Policy