S/S/42. A critical review of theoretical drug models and current policy

This paper is divided in to three, overlapping sections. The first is a critical analysis of the major theoretical models of drug misuse, and a discussion of its relevance to contemporary drug policy in the UK. Throughout, the connection between drug use and criminal behaviour is debated. The second section is a debate of the issues evoked by the statement: “punishment for ‘addicts who commit drug offences compounds their problems”. The theoretical models discussed in section one are referred to and discussed in context. Furthermore, there is an attempt to prove that prison is a self-defeating sanction for drug users, that unnecessarily causes further harm to drug users and that the distinction between criminals and drug users has been blurred. The final section highlights conclusions from a personal perspective, whilst providing some suggestions for future drug policy in the UK.