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Fifty years of the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: the legislative contexts
- Author:
- STOTHARD Blaine
- Journal article citation:
- Drugs and Alcohol Today, 21(4), 2021, pp.298-311.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the history of relevant legislation before and after the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Design/methodology/approach: A chronological narrative of laws and reports with concluding discussion. Findings: That UK legislators have not made use of the evidence base available to them and have favoured enforcement rather than treatment approaches. That current UK practice has exacerbated not contain the use of and harms caused by illegal drugs. Research limitations/implications: The paper does not cover all relevant documents, especially those from non-governmental sources. Practical implications: The practical implications centre on the failure of consecutive governments to reflect on and review the impact of current legislation, especially on people who use drugs. Social implications: That the situations of people who use drugs are currently ignored by the government and those proven responses which save lives and reduce harm are rejected. Originality/value: The paper attempts to show the historical contexts of control and dangerousness of which the MDA is one instrument. (Edited publisher abstract)
The UK drugs strategy 2017: contexts and analysis
- Author:
- STOTHARD Blaine
- Journal article citation:
- Drugs and Alcohol Today, 17(4), 2017, pp.205-217.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the content of the strategy and assess its claims to be evidence based. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a close-reading of the text with commentary on specific content and reference to wider contexts. Findings: The strategy makes use of evidence in its sections on treatment. Much evidence, including that of the UK ACMD, is dismissed or ignored. The issue of funding in times of austerity is not considered in the strategy. The range and complexity of drug use and users are not fully considered. Research limitations/implications: The strategy can be seen as an idealised ambition with little basis in reality without funding to support its aims. Social implications: There is no consideration of the impact of macro-economic policy on the extent of drug misuse. Originality/value: Other commentaries on the strategy are emerging. This paper is a more extensive consideration than has so far appeared. (Publisher abstract)
Drug policy: a going-over down-under?
- Author:
- STOTHARD Blaine
- Journal article citation:
- Drugs and Alcohol Today, 14(1), 2014, pp.31-41.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to inform readers of developments in drug policy debate in Australia following the publication of the Global Commission Report. To explain the activities, discussions and findings of events organised by the Australian NGO Australia21. To provide some key contextual information and references. Design/methodology/approach: Overview of international situation following publication of Global Commission Report. Summary of current Australian national policy and its origins. Summary of recent national reports and their impact on policy. Account of NGO reports and recommendations. Findings: Civil society agencies have entered national debate on drug policy and recommended an abandonment of prohibition-based approaches, using the Global Commission Report as a catalyst. First steps have been taken to introduce this debate into the Australian parliament. Research limitations/implications: Incomplete knowledge of relevant national documentation. Practical implications: Probable delay in government developing debate and acting on recommendations in an election year. Originality/value: Case study of developments and debate in one jurisdiction resulting from Global Commission Report. Aligns with similar debate and moves in other nations. Adds to knowledge of developments which challenge existing international policy debate and practical approaches which reject prohibition. (Publisher abstract)
Drug wars at the chalk face
- Author:
- STOTHARD Blaine
- Journal article citation:
- Druglink, 19(6), November 2004, pp.36-37.
- Publisher:
- Drugscope
- Place of publication:
- London
Examine a history of changing trends in drug education, from 'Just Say No' in the 1980s to Blueprint in 2004.