Mind-altering drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin and others are illegal in many parts of the world, but distinct approaches for dealing with the question of illegal drug use have been developed country by country. In this book Tim Boekhout van Solinge describes the different approaches that have been adopted to dealing with the problem, with particular reference to the experience of France, the Netherlands and Sweden. He explores the justifications and rationalizations for the divergent, often contradictory attitudes and systems that have been developed, and concludes that differing national cultural traditions for handling social problems have greatly influenced the ways in which illicit drug use have been dealt with.

In this intriguing book, Petrus C. van Duyne and Michael Levi introduce the reader to an ever-unfolding series of problems, from mind-influencing substances to the complications of international drug regulation and the interaction between markets

Drug abuse persists as one of the most costly and contentious problems on the nation's agenda. Pathways of Addiction meets the need for a clear and thoughtful national research agenda that will yield the greatest benefit from today's limited resources. The committee makes its recommendations within the public health framework and incorporates diverse fields of inquiry and a range of policy positions. It examines both the demand and supply aspects of drug abuse. Pathways of Addiction offers a fact-filled, highly readable examination of drug abuse issues in the United States, describing findings and outlining research needs in the areas of behavioral and neurobiological foundations of drug abuse. The book covers the epidemiology and etiology of drug abuse and discusses several of its most troubling health and social consequences, including HIV, violence, and harm to children. Pathways of Addiction looks at the efficacy of different prevention interventions and the many advances that have been made in treatment research in the past 20 years. The book also examines drug treatment in the criminal justice setting and the effectiveness of drug treatment under managed care. The committee advocates systematic study of the laws by which the nation attempts to control drug use and identifies the research questions most germane to public policy. Pathways of Addiction provides a strategic outline for wise investment of the nation's research resources in drug abuse. This comprehensive and accessible volume will have widespread relevanceâ€"to policymakers, researchers, research administrators, foundation decisionmakers, healthcare professionals, faculty and students, and concerned individuals.

The EMCDDA's 10th scientific monograph, entitled Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges provides a comprehensive overview of the harm reduction field. Part I of the monograph looks back at the emergence of harm reduction approaches and their diffusion, and explores the concept from different perspectives, including international organisations, academic researchers and drug users. Part II is dedicated to current evidence and impacts of harm reduction and illustrates how the concept has broadened to cover a wide range of behaviours and harms. Part III addresses the current challenges and innovations in the field. The core audience of the monograph comprises policymakers, healthcare professionals working with drug users, as well as the wider interested public -- EU Bookshop.

Offers new and cutting-edge research on the role of drugs in Iranian society and government. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

This volume arose from a European Scientific Seminar on `Strategies and Policies to Combat Drugs', which was organized by the Commission of the European Communities at the European University Institute in Florence in December 1993. The significance of the seminar lay in the manner in which it sought to address the full range of issues associated with the drug problem at international, national and local level. Equally important was its success in attracting participants from a number of different disciplines -- scientific experts, national and EU administrators working in the drugs field, and members of the European Parliament. That provided for a lively and wide-ranging exchange of views and ideas which is reflected in the contributions and conclusions contained in this publication, which comprises varied contributions and approaches to drug policies at international, European, national and local level. It also focuses on the possibilities of a comprehensive Drug Strategy within the framework of the European Union.