The Results for Drug Reform Goals of Shifting from Interdiction/Punishment to Treatment

Article originally published in academic journals about drug policy in the United States. The author counters the popular belief among drug law reformists that increasing the amount of treatment programs for addicts will reduce levels of addiction and be of benefit for addicts from disadvantaged groups. By comparing what has happened with the increase in alcoholism treatment in the US, he makes the argument that promoting more drug treatment will in fact support moralistic and coercive approaches to drug use; will result in fewer social welfare services for marginalized addicts; and will not reduce overall substance abuse rates.