The evidence from abroad, especially Portugal, suggests that scaling back on criminalising drug users in the UK could be a smart move, says Jessica Magson Despite major advances in drug treatment support over the past 20 years, punitive approaches to tackling illicit drug use remain…
Tag Archive for offences
Druglink article 2014 – Higher education by Max Daly
The public perception of the drug dealer is either a seedy street corner ne’er do well or a bling-laden ‘kingpin’. But Max Daly sheds light on a different world of dealing. A university campus is a drug dealer’s dream. Thousands of young people…
Druglink article 1998 – What’s in a sausage? The roots of cannabis prohibition by Harry Shapiro
The law reform lobby has been revitalised in the nineties supported by elements within the body politic, the media, medicine, the police and the judiciary and an unknown but growing proportion of the public. However, most governments, international agencies –…
Druglink article 1997 – Get it while you can: the walking talking calling card by Ray Jenkins
One of Britain’s best known arrest referral schemes gives Druglink readers the low-down on getting arrestees into treatment and off the drug-crime roundabout. Get it while you can: the walking talking calling card (PDF)
Druglink article 1995 – Drug courts USA by Philip Bean
The drug courts which began in Miami in 1989 offered an alternative to a criminal justice system seen as failing with drug offenders. The judge also acts as a social worker, prosecutor and defender. Offenders are sent to treatment programmes…
Druglink article 1995 – Mind your own business by Chris Britton
One strand of national policy encourages offenders to own up to their drug problems – but do other strands give them overriding reasons not to? This probation officer’s eye view suggests schemes to divert offenders into treatment could fail at…
Druglink article 1995 – No big deal: court ordered treatment in practice by Maggie Lee and Sarah Mainwaring
Two studies have assessed the practical impact of the provision introduced in 1992 allowing courts to make it a condition of a probation order that drug dependents undergo community based treatment. Courts rarely used this option and it had little…
Druglink article 1994 – The crack report by Harry Shapiro
Enforcement statistics suggest a steep rise in crack use in recent years but not to epidemic levels. Crack is commonly used in some inner city areas, generally on an irregular and non-dependent basis. The connection with black people is stronger…
Druglink article 1994 – Race and drug policing in London by Geoffrey Monaghan
Is London’s drug policing racist? What evidence there is argues to the contrary. Race and drug policing in London (PDF) Additional keywords: Minorities / arrests
Druglink article 1992 – A strategic approach to the Criminal Justice Act by Jane Goodsir
Drug services have the power to influence court decisions and sentencing policy A strategic approach to the Criminal Justice (PDF)