European Drug Policies: The Ways of Reform

Description

The drug control regime established by the international community has not succeeded in curbing either the demand for, or the offer of, narcotics. But, despite a series of developments in the Americas – including the legalisation of cannabis in Uruguay and in several states in the United States of America – there is still little support in Europe for repealing drug-prohibition laws. Nevertheless, a gradual policy convergence reveals the emergence of a European model favouring public-health strategies over a strictly penal approach to combatting drugs, while growing transnational support for legalisation indicates the persistence of an alternative paradigm for drug policy. This book examines the various influences on drug policies in Europe, as grassroots movements, NGO networks, private foundations and academic research centres increasingly confront the prevailing discourses of drug prohibition. Pursuing an interdisciplinary approach and bringing together legal scholars, social scientists and practitioners, it provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of drug policy reform in Europe. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of illustrations List of contributors Acknowledgements Foreword European drug policies in context European drug policies in historical context European powers in international drug policy European Union drug policy Diversity of European domestic drug policies Convergence of European drug policies Purpose and structure of the book References PART I: Regional dimensions of European drug policies 1. The politics of expertise and EU drug policy The EU and drugs: policy, but not as we know it Experts, drugs and European policy: a long view Epistemic communities: a brief outline Contemporary patterns: back to the future? Conclusion References 2. Pathways to integration of European drug policy Introduction Policy integration and the European Union Integration and drug policy Pathways to integration Conclusion References 3. The soft power of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Introduction EMCDDA: independence under control Providing expertise: between political constraints and the demands of science Conclusion References PART II: Domestic drug policies in Europe 4. Belgian drug policy Introduction Belgian drug regulation at the beginning of the twentieth century: A course clearly dictated by international law The gradual construction of a social problématique related to drug consumption Security as a factor of criminalisation and as resistance to the decriminalisation of behaviours surrounding drug use Health policies, from a security perspective, in the shadow of the criminal justice system Conclusion References 5. Danish drug policy Danish drug policy before the welfare state Drug misuse as a social and criminological problem Youth drugs and the welfare state: a normal social problem Policy responses to the new drug problem Methadone, the ‘old drug abuser’, and the introduction of harm reduction in Denmark Medicalisation of drug treatment Criminalisation of drug users Harm reduction Sick and deviant drug users Conclusion References 6. French drug policy Introduction History of drug law and national policy framework Policy discussions and drug reform initiatives Conclusion References 7. German drug policy Introduction History of German drug policy Present legal framework Drivers of change and conservative forces in current policy How can drug policy be explained? Modernity’s deep unconscious fear of intoxication References 8. Italian drug policy The origins of drug legislation and the shift to prohibition From the 1970s to the 1990s: the mild approach versus the moral model Criminalisation versus treatment? The ambiguities of the social solidarity approach The victimisation of the drug addict The introduction of harm reduction After the referendum (1993–2006): lessons learnt from the decriminalisation experience The second punitive shift (2006–2014) Drug policy reformers break the stalemate? References 9. Drug policy in the Netherlands Introduction History and legal framework of Dutch drug policy Recent Dutch drug policy (1995–present): continuity and change Discussion Conclusions References 10. Polish drug policy Introduction Drug use in Poland Drug policy setting institutions and expenditures Polish drug legislation Shaping Poland’s current drug policy References 11. Portuguese drug policy Introduction History of drug law and policy Existing legal framework Drivers of change Conclusion References 12. Spanish drug policy History Current framework regarding drug consumption, possession and trafficking References 13. Swedish drug policy Framing the problem Drug policy design Treatment of drug users Harm reduction programmes Discussion References 14. Swiss drug policy A drug policy like any other: 1920–1975 The building up of a drugs crisis: 1975–1985 Drug policy change: 1985–1995 The (incomplete) institutionalisation of the new policy: 1995–2005 Institutionalisation at last and the ongoing cannabis debate: 2005–present Understanding Switzerland’s drug policy change References 15. Drug policy in the United Kingdom Introduction Twentieth-century history of drug law and policy Trends in drug use Legal framework, sentencing and policing practices Drivers of continuity and change Indicators of policy success and failure Conclusion References PART III: Trends and prospects in European drug policies 16. Changing paradigms in drug policies in EU Member States: from digression to convergence Introduction Approach Three key convergence trends The process: convergence of policies The content: changing paradigms Key contextual factors Stakeholders Conclusions References 17. The changing face of harm reduction in Europe Introduction The pioneer years Mainstreaming and scaling up Consolidation and diversification Challenges for the future Conclusion References 18. Legal responses to drug possession in Europe: from crime to public health Introduction Reducing the criminal justice approach The public health approach From criminal justice to public health: the different journeys New psychoactive substances and new responses? Discussion References 19. Cannabis social clubs in Europe: prospects and limits Introduction CSCs in Europe and elsewhere: different contexts and practices Unclear legal status of the CSCs CSCs as an alternative model for supply Cannabis social clubs: prospects and limits Concluding reflections References Index