Current U.S. Drug Policy & Alternative Approaches Deck (E1)

Question 1

This drug policy involves removing criminal penalties.

Answer 1

What is decriminalization?

Question 2

What is the difference between “full” and “partial” decriminalization?

Answer 2

Full - completely hands-off phenomenon where the government does not apply criminal penalties for possession

Partial - government selects a particular drug and decriminalizes it in small amounts

Question 3

Does full decriminalization apply to drug traffickers?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

This drug policy involves government regulation that controls manufacturing, distribution, etc., via taxes.

Answer 4

What is legalization?

Question 5

Is drug legalization ideal for dealers?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

This drug policy seeks to minimize the harm associated with drug use but does NOT involve decriminalization or legalization.

Answer 6

What is harm reduction?

Question 7

Needle exchange programs are products of harm reduction that allow drug users access to clean needles. Not many people are keen on heroin addicts having access to clean needles in their neighborhood, so their response is this acronym.

Answer 7

NIMBY (Not In My Backyard)

Question 8

This drug policy is a form of harm reduction that allows drug users to use drugs under physician care.

Answer 8

What is the medical/maintenance model?

Question 9

With the medical/maintenance model, how do physicians provide for drug users in the U.S., generally speaking?

Answer 9

Physicians provide a chemical analog, or substitute drug, like Suboxone, and give the user just enough of it to make them think they’re high

Question 10

How does the medical/maintenance model work in Portugal for needle users?

Answer 10

Users go to a clinic with their drug, and a nurse provides them with a clean needle, chair, and Narcan on hand in the event of an overdose