The Controlled Substances Act: how a “big tent” reform became a punitive drug law

Courtwright, David T.

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.012

Cited by 52 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In 1970 Congress passed the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), which made significant changes to federal drug policy. It created a new classification system for drugs based on their abuse potential and medical benefits, increased resources for law enforcement, removed federal mandatory minimum sentences, and increased funding for drug treatment and research (Courtwright, ). The new law streamlined drug classifications by designing a scheduling system for drugs, a system which many states also adopted.…”

Section: S–1970s: Punishment Versus Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tough on Drugs: Law and Order Dominance and the Neglect of Public Health in U.S. Drug Policy

Neill¹

2014

World Med & Health Policy

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Since the War on Drugs began, U.S. drug policy has been dominated by a law and order policy model. The emphasis on incarceration and punishment as responses to drug use has resulted in the neglect of public health concerns related to drug addiction. In this paper I trace the development of drug policy in the United States and argue that the social construction of drug offenders as a deviant population has led to the dominance of the law and order approach to drugs. While other scholars have argued that perceptions of drug users affect drug policy, this analysis focuses specifically on the creation and consequences of social constructions for modern drug policy within the policy design framework. By analyzing current trends this paper identifies a way forward for drug policy reform and calls for the adoption of a public health approach to drug use.

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Section: S–1970s: Punishment Versus Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tough on Drugs: Law and Order Dominance and the Neglect of Public Health in U.S. Drug Policy

Neill¹

2014

World Med & Health Policy

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“…Prior studies pointed out that drug classification and scheduling laws in many countries are more commonly based on the socio-cultural, political and historical influences, rather than scientific evidence (Bourgois, 2008; Courtwright, 2004; Nutt, King, Saulsbury, & Blakemore, 2007). It was suggested that drug classification should be based on a “rational scale” of drug risk assessment and conducted by scientists and drug experts, rather than politicians (Morgan, Muetzelfeldt, Muetzelfeldt, Nutt, & Curran, 2010; Nutt et al, 2007; van Amsterdam, Opperhuizen, Koeter, & van den Brink, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I’m not afraid of those ones just ‘cause they’ve been prescribed”: Perceptions of risk among illicit users of pharmaceutical opioids

Daniulaityte

Falck

Carlson

2012

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Background There has been a rise in the illicit use of pharmaceutical opioids (”pain pills”) in the United States. Conducted with young adult non-medical users of pharmaceutical opioids, this study uses qualitative methods and cultural consensus analysis to describe risk perceptions associated with pharmaceutical opioids and to determine patterns of cultural sharing and intra-cultural variation of these views. Methods The qualitative sub-sample (n=47) was selected from a larger sample of 396 young adults (18–23 years old), who were participating in a natural history study of illicit pharmaceutical opioid use. Qualitative life history interviews, drug ranking task, and cultural consensus analysis were used to elicit participant views about risks and harms associated with pain pills and other drugs, as well as alcohol and tobacco. Results Cultural consensus analysis revealed that the participants shared a single cultural model of drug risks, but the level of agreement decreased with the increasing range of drugs ever used. Further, those with more extensive drug use histories differed from less “experienced” users in their views about OxyContin and some other drugs. Overall, pain pills were viewed as addicting and potentially deadly substances, but these properties were linked to the patterns and methods of use, as well as characteristics of an individual user. Further, risks associated with pharmaceutical opioids were further curtailed because they “came from the doctor,” and thus had a legitimate aspect to their use. Conclusions This study highlights potential problems with universal approaches to substance use prevention and intervention among young people since such approaches ignore the fact that substance use education messages may be experienced differently depending on an individual’s drug use history and his/her perceptions of drug risks. Findings reported here may be useful in the development of prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the harm associated with illicit use of pain pills.

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“…Richard Glen Boire, director of the Centre for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics, has suggested that the success of the Native American Church derives from its ability to convince Congress and the courts that their exemption would be manageable (Boire, 1994). Their ability to control both the accessibility and trade of their sacrament was clearly crucial for their case, particularly in view of the fact that both public safety and regulation of the economic activity of the illicit drug market are core features of international drug policy (Courtwright, 2004).…”

Section: Sacrament or Substance Of Abuse?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sacrament or substance of abuse?

Wells¹

2007

Drugs and Alcohol Today

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The debate concerning the religious use of psychoactive substances may seem an unlikely candidate for revival in the current prohibitionist climate. Drug consumption is far more likely to incite public concern over the harmful and habit forming properties of certain substances, than conjure up an enthusiasm born of the 1960s for their potential to produce a sincere mystical experience. However, the recent emergence of religious movements who consume plant hallucinogens as their sacrament, and the growth of drug tourism for the spiritually inclined, reflects a renaissance in the use of psychoactive plants and chemicals for spiritual inspiration. This trend presents a challenge to the way in which certain drugs are culturally and legally defined, and brings the concept of religious freedom into the sphere of drug policy.

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The Controlled Substances Act: how a “big tent” reform became a punitive drug law

Cited by 52 publications

References 6 publications

Tough on Drugs: Law and Order Dominance and the Neglect of Public Health in U.S. Drug Policy

Tough on Drugs: Law and Order Dominance and the Neglect of Public Health in U.S. Drug Policy

“I’m not afraid of those ones just ‘cause they’ve been prescribed”: Perceptions of risk among illicit users of pharmaceutical opioids

Sacrament or substance of abuse?

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