Drugs and Society: U.S. Public Policy [Paperback]

Jefferson M. Fish (Editor), Go v. Gary E. Johnson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2005

There are two main approaches to reforming drug policy, which reflect differing American values. One is the public health or harm reduction or cost/benefit approach, which implements the American value of pragmatism. This approach looks at the social science and bio-medical evidence regarding the effects of each drug, attempts to weigh the positive and negative consequences of various courses of action, and proposes policies with the best overall mix of outcomes. Public health approaches to drug policy reform emphasize harm reduction (e.g., preventing the spread of disease, maintaining the health of drug users, and guaranteeing drug purity) and controlling in various ways the quantities available for individual purchase, dosage levels, and other aspects of drugs and their use, as well as drug advertising.

The other approach to drug policy reform--the libertarian or rights based-approach to legalizing drugs--can be seen to implement the American value of individualism. This approach views the private behavior of adults as none of the government's business, and aims at maximizing individual freedom. Drugs and Society explains these differing views by American society in great detail, and will offer the reader all the information needed to create an alternative drug policy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Drugs and Society demonstrates the counterproductive futility of the war on drugs--expanding black markets and increasing economic, public health, and social costs. Leading scholars from the relevant disciplines show how we created this disaster and offer a variety of policy alternatives. I strongly recommend this book for colleagues and policy makers in the social and behavioral sciences and public health. (Jeffrey A. Miron, Ph.D. )

The authors of this edited volume present a civil and informed discussion of many of the issues in the United States' current drug policy. The diversity of backgrounds [of the contributors] contributes to the richness of references and viewpoints offered. This is a solid book, full of thoughtful discussions and rich with helpful citations into the vast drug policy literature. (Paul Binner Contemporary Psychology: Apa Review Of Books )

The range of well-written and well-balanced chapters is matched by the diversity of the authors, e.g., sociologists, economists, psychologists, and lawyers. Highly Recommended. (Choice )

Just because politicians won’t talk about it doesn’t mean scholars shouldn’t think about it. This impressive volume takes critical thinking about drug legalization to a new level. Anyone who thinks drug prohibition is essential to the survival of modern society needs to think hard about what these authors have to say. (Ethan Nadelmann )

The authors of this edited volume present a civil and informed discussion of many of the issues in the United States' current drug policy. The diversity of backgrounds [of the contributors] contributes to the richness of references and viewpoints offered.This is a solid book, full of thoughtful discussions and rich with helpful citations into the vast drug policy literature.... (Paul Binner Contemporary Psychology: Apa Review Of Books )

About the Author

Jefferson M. Fish (Ph.D., Columbia University) is professor of psychology at St. John's University. He is a member of the board of directors and of the executive committee of Partnership for Responsible Drug Information, and adjunct coordinator of the Committee on Drugs and the Law of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Dr. Fish is the author, editor, or co-editor of six books, and is the author of more than a hundred journal articles, book chapters, and other works.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742542459
• ISBN-13: 978-0742542457
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,501,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars drug prohibition, not drugs, is destroying America, January 5, 2007

By 

Nicolas Eyle (Syracuse, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drugs and Society: U.S. Public Policy (Paperback)

Jefferson Fish has done an outstanding job putting together the essays in this book. He shows us how damaging this policy of drug prohibition is and how its tentacles reach out to harm almost every part of our society. From the forward by fmr. New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson to the last chapter by Stephen Duke and Albert Gross this little book covers it all. Medical issues, economic, philosophical, they're all here, along with some thoughts on how to develop an exit strategy.
Read it... you'll be fascinated.

Nicolas Eyle