Drug Policies in Australia: Alternatives to Prohibitionism

In: Journal of drug issues: JDI, Band 16, Heft 2, S. 153-169

Abstract

After an overview of the current Australian situation, five arguments that are used to justify prohibitionist stances are reviewed. All are shown to be inadequate. The real conditions under which a successful prohibition might be attempted are discussed, and it is shown that these do not exist in Australia at present, at least not as far as some currently illegal drugs are concerned. This paper examines reasons why prohibitionist stances continue to be adopted in the face of their persistent failure, and examines some possible alternatives, without suggesting that any of these are likely to receive serious consideration from politicians involved in formulating policy.