Responding to the 'drug problem' Flashcards
Babor et al. (2018)
- Programmes to prevent initiation of drugs by non-users
- Treatment, rehab, social service programmes, intended to help heavy drug users change their behaviour/ reduce consequences of drug use
- Laws, regulations, initiatives to control supply of illegal drugs as well as the supply of diverted prescription drugs used for non-medical purposes
Beckett (2016) -Harm reduction policing
” …An alternative drug policy framework that seeks to redress the human suffering that underlies most low-level criminal behaviour, and to steer the homeless, drug users and sellers, sex workers, and those who spend their time on the streets toward services and away from the criminal justice system”
Black (2021) - does drug treatment work?
Each £1 spent on the treatment will save £4 from reduced demands on health, prison, law enforcement, + emergency services
Stevens (2013) - Harm reduction policing
‘The policing of drug markets is usually conceptualised as a matter of law enforcement - drug dealers and people who use drugs are breaking the law and the role of police is to reduce such law breaking. However, the wider purpose of policing is to ensure the safety of the community by reducing harms to its members.’
Krupanski (2018) - does harm reduction policing work?
- Shows reduction of hepatitis + HIV
- reduce needlestick injuries/hazards for police
- increase links for homeless to ongoing services
- reduce court/prison overcrowding
- decrease recidivism + crime rates
- improves relationship with community
- increase trust/legitimacy of agencies
Krupanski (2018) - how can police save lives?
- needle + syringe programs
- medication assisted treatment
- supervised drug consumption rooms
- no charge/arrest at overdose scenes
Babor et al (2018) - Informational prevention
Universal: mass media campaigns to raise awareness to dangers
Selective: informational interventions targeted at young males in deprived neighbourhoods
Indicated: Normative feedback interventions for individuals who screen positive for substance misuse
Babor et al. (2018) - Developmental prevention
Universal: Elementary classroom behaviour management strategies
Selective: Home visiting programs with vulnerable pregnant women
Indicated: Individual counselling programs with adolescent males with impulse control problems
Babor et al. (2018) - Environmental prevention
Universal: Legislation to prohibit drug use
Selective Targeted enforcement + actions to deal with drug dealing in high risk neighbourhoods
Indicated: electronic tags to restrict individual’s movement
Home Office 2019
Over 1/3 of adults in Eng + Wales have taken drugs at some point in their lifetime
Jason Hogg, Cheif Constable Thames Valley - drugs diversion scheme
“Using a diversion rout, finite police resources will not be stretched further by dealing with those best suited for receiving help and education”
Blais et al. (2022) - effectiveness of diversion schemes - positives
- effective in preventing criminal offending
- Promising results for improving participants health
- Diminishing social costs + costs associated with processing drug- related offences
Blais et al. (2022) - effectiveness of diversion schemes - negatives
Insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about effect of police based diversion measures on drug use, drug accessibility or changes in socio-economic conditions.
ONS 2022
2021 - 4859 people died in End + Wales from drug poisoning
Black 2020
- Illicit drug market is worth an estimated £9.4 bil a year
- Estimated total cost of drugs on society are over £19 million
