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2017 | Book

Introduction Read chapter Read first chapter

The Economics of Addictive Behaviours Volume III

The Private and Social Costs of the Abuse of Illicit Drugs and Their Remedies

Author: John Joshua

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This title offers an in-depth analysis of the causes, consequences and treatments of illicit drug abuse. The author examines the effects of existing drug policies and proposes drug use legalisation within a regulated market as a viable alternative. Joshua assesses the factors that make individuals vulnerable to drug abuse and the pathways they may follow. As well as exploring the physical and psychological effects on the individual, Joshua examines the social and economic consequences for society. He highlights the pitfalls of a purely legal approach to drug abuse, which is primarily a health matter, and questions whether special drugs courts could be used as an alternative to the present criminal justice system. This book adds to the debate on whether most drugs could be sold in a regulated market in the same way as other drugs are, such as alcohol or nicotine.

This is the third title in a four volume series ‘The Economics of Addictive Behaviours’, consisting of three additional volumes on smoking, alcohol abuse and overeating.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
This is the third volume of a four-part series on addictive behavior and specifically deals with illicit drugs. The pathways from initiation to drug abuse toward chronic and acute diseases and the process of addiction to illicit drugs will be explored. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach as the causes, consequences, and remedies of drug abuse as a behavioral disease are multi-disciplinary in origin. An in-depth psychological analysis of the relationship of drug use and the quality of life is followed with an analysis of the possible treatment of drug abuse and possible economic and legal remedies. The consequences of present policies are explored, and a possible alternative viable legal framework is discussed. Finally, a proposal for a regulated market for drugs is made.
John Joshua
Chapter 2. Causes of the Abuse of Illicit Drugs
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the causes of the abuse of drugs and explores the pathways from initiation to the abuse of psychoactive drugs to chronic and acute diseases. The detrimental consequences of the use of various drugs to health are also explained. Even though many abusers of drugs have begun as casual users, a significant number eventually become addicted. Various factors which may make individuals vulnerable to the abuse of drugs are explored. The vulnerability to drug abuse is to a large extent determined by personal characteristics and the social environment; for example, an individual’s impulsivity leads to a preference for short-term over-delayed gratification and also shows an inability to persevere with a given task.
John Joshua
Chapter 3. The Consequences of the Use of Illicit Drugs and Their Associated Private and Social Costs
Abstract
This chapter begins with a description of the physical and psychological effects of the use of various illicit drugs. The social consequences of the use of illicit drugs will be addressed next in detail, including the private and social costs of illicit drug abuse, in particular the costs to health, family life, education and the increase in the level of crime. Costs may be distinguished from the psychopharmacological effects arising from the use of drugs and the subsequent social and private cost, such as arising from the criminalization of the trading in illicit drugs. The association between drug abuse and education has also been explained. Finally, the economic consequences of drug abuse will also be addressed in detail.
John Joshua
Chapter 4. The Use of Illicit Drugs and the Quality of Life
Abstract
This chapter will begin with a discussion on the pursuit of happiness followed with a detailed discussion on the objective quality of life and subjective well-being. Subsequently, the relationship between psychosocial maladjustment and drug abuse will be explored, including the relationship between self-esteem and the abuse of drugs. Stressful life events such as economic hardship, death of a significant other, or divorce may lead toward the abuse of drugs, depending on the individual coping style. This chapter concludes with a discussion on the relationship between attributional style, coping style, and quality of life and the relationship to the abuse of drugs. This chapter should explain why a purely legal approach cannot solve the problem of drug abuse which is primarily a matter of health.
John Joshua
Chapter 5. The Prevention and Treatment of the Abuse of Illicit Drugs
Abstract
This chapter discusses the prevention and treatment of the abuse of illicit drugs and begins with a description of programs such as the methadone maintenance treatment program, the heroin maintenance program, and harm minimization programs. It is argued that such programs should include vocational counselling as part of the rehabilitation programs. The creation of special drug courts may be seen as an alternative to the more common present criminal justice system to enable the integration of the judicial and criminal justice system together with the treatment of drug abuse and rehabilitation. The chapter then concludes with a discussion of an effective scientifically oriented drug policy. It is argued that a viable drug policy should be based on scientific and empirical evidence.
John Joshua
Chapter 6. Economic Policies to Reduce the Abuse of Illicit Drugs
Abstract
This chapter discusses the economics of the abuse of illicit drugs, including an analysis of the model of rational addiction. An analysis of the illicit drug market has to consider the effect of addiction on the use of illicit drugs, so that addiction, rational decisions, and utility maximization are discussed in detail. This chapter explains the concept of price elasticities and their effects on drug policies. Increases in prices of illicit drugs may deter potential drug users to enter the drug market, but there is a dispute how this may affect the abuse of drugs by addicts. Hence, the relationship between addiction and rational decision is explored. Addiction increases tolerance of the drug, and therefore, the level of consumption increases as the marginal utility declines.
John Joshua
Chapter 7. The Legal Framework of the Abuse of Illicit Drugs
Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the legal framework of the abuse of illicit drugs and begins with a description of present drug policies and proceeds with a discussion on the drug policies on prohibition and zero-tolerance. Economic, legal, medical, and psychological reasons are provided against prohibition and other drug policies. Various alternative policies regarding the use of illicit drugs are then discussed, including policies of prohibition, criminalization, decriminalization, depenalization, and their effectiveness which is followed up with a detailed discussion on the legalization of drugs. The chapter concludes with a discussion on a regulated market for drugs. It is argued that most drugs could be sold on a regulated market for drugs in much the same way as any other drugs, such as alcohol and nicotine.
John Joshua
Chapter 8. Conclusion
Abstract
The use of illicit drugs and the quality of life is intended to provide a rational for a change in some of the present drug policies. After all, the use and the abuse of drugs is largely a health issue and cannot be solved without adequately considering the causes of drug abuse, including the medical, psychiatric, psychological, and sociological factors. Criminal law can only be part of the solution; it has to effectively work with psychologically and medically trained personnel. To use solely the criminal law in regard to drug abuse may treat the symptoms, but it is not a cure. It has been argued that the legalization of the use of illegal drugs but within a regulated market might be more suitable.
John Joshua
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
The Economics of Addictive Behaviours Volume III
Author
John Joshua
Copyright Year
2017
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-59138-4
Print ISBN
978-3-319-59137-7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59138-4