Public health, not social warfare: a public health approach to illegal drug policy

Abstract

This article makes three major arguments: (I) the current War on Drugs undercuts public health values and premises, resulting in a war on the poor, disenfranchised, people of color, the homeless, and the unemployed; (2) drug problems should be addressed primarily within the realm of public health policy rather than criminal justice policy; and (3) to achieve a viable public health drug policy, the public health community needs to build grassroots support and become effective activists. The article reviews the history of past drug wars, analyzes recent trends in illegal drug use and problems, and critiques current policy initiatives and their consequences. It then outlines a comprehensive, public health approach to addressing illegal drug problems, and concludes with an analysis of what steps are needed to become effective in the public policy arena.