International Drug Control into the 21st Century

Providing a comprehensive analysis of drug misuse, dependence and the ways in which different parts of the world have responded to these problems, this volume examines aspects of the contemporary drug problem, the related debate and the way in which society is responding to it. Various controversial issues are covered, taking into account the way in which pressure groups would like to see changes in national and/or international drug control regimes. The book is drawn from extensive studies carried out by the UN over the last 15 years; each of the themes has been examined by a group of experts and lends itself to debate. Among the many topics discussed are: the legalization of drugs, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, the macro and micro economy, supply and demand reduction and money laundering. The book will be a valuable resource for professionals and academics in law enforcement, health, social services, behavioural sciences, pharmacy and drug regulatory agencies.

Hamid Ghodse, CBE, MD, PhD, DSc, DPM, FFPH, FRCP, FRCPE, FRCPsych, is Professor of Psychiatry and International Drug Policy at the University of London. He has worked for more than 35 years in the field of addictions, advancing clinical and academic understanding and policy, and working towards national and international drug control. His contribution to various aspects of University, Royal Colleges, National Health Service and voluntary agencies has been exemplary, and for this he was awarded the CBE. He is editor of International Psychiatry, Honorary Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Journal of Drug Dependence and editorial board member of Addiction, International Journal of Social Psychiatry and other journals. He is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel of WHO on Drug Abuse. He has been President of the International Narcotics Control Board, 1993-94, 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2004-2005.

Contents: Preface; Introduction; International drug control system; Legalization of internationally controlled drugs; Drugs and the importance of demand reduction; Evaluation of the effectiveness of the international drug control treaties; Money laundering; Drug abuse and criminal justice; Preventing drug abuse in an environment of illicit drug promotion; International control of drugs: past, present and future; Freedom from pain and suffering; Overconsumption of internationally controlled drugs; Globalization and new technologies: challenges to drug law enforcement in the 21st century; Illicit drugs and economic development; Drugs, crime and violence: the microlevel impact; Integration of supply and demand reduction strategies: moving beyond a balanced approach; Alternative development and legitimate livelihoods; Internationally controlled drugs and the unregulated market; Index.