Drug Policy: History, Theory and Consequences (examples from Denmark and USA)

In this book, anthropologists, criminologists and sociologists analyse different aspects of drug policy. The articles approach drug policy from new angles, focusing in particular on the history and consequences of drug policy in practice. How can we understand and explain the increasingly complex puzzle that we call drug policy? The authors explore in different ways how drug policy has spread into new areas of society, how new players are engaged in drug policy, and what consequences this has for drug users, citizens, or society in general. Taking a point of departure in drug policy as a way of regulating drugs - including control, treatment, prevention and harm reduction - the book shows how drug policy has become increasingly diverse and evident at many levels of society. A very wide range of drug policies are implemented in contemporary societies - not only by governments, but also by local communities, organisations, public institutions, private enterprises, sports clubs etc. Using examples from both Denmark and the USA, drug policy is analysed on an international, national and local level. This book will be of great value to advanced undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in drug policy, as well as to academics, practitioners and policy makers in the drug policy field.