U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Public Debate in the 1980's (From Drugs and British Society: Responses to a Social Problem in the Eighties, P 1-19, 1989, Susanne MacGregor, ed. -- See NCJ-124945)

NCJ Number
124946
Author(s)
S MacGregor
Date Published
1989
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The ways in which the media and politicians have discussed drug use in Great Britain during the 1980's has generated stereotypes of the drug addict that are inadequate as a basis for serious discussion of policy and practice.
Abstract
These discussions have been characterized by an exaggeration of the problem; a focus only on specific drugs, particularly heroin; and an emphasis on the demand for drugs among young people. In addition, fear of drug addicts and concern with social order have been central themes of public discussions about drugs. Politicians have also used the drug issue as a convenient way of promoting certain policies. Furthermore, the reality that alcohol kills far more people than other drugs do has been obscured. Thus, policy discussions should center on such issues as the appropriate balance between care and control, the role of the government and the community in addressing the issue, and the extent to which liberty should be restricted in responding to the drug problem.

Downloads

No download available

Availability