Question

1a. What are 2 important factors that should be considered when developing effective drug policy?

1b. Give an example of an unintended consequence associated with inappropriate drug policy?

Answer 1

1.A

The public health angle

Through public policy governments seek to look after the health, security and well-being of their citizens. Psychoactive substance use and addictions are related to physical and mental conditions, and in turn affect physical and mental health. But the phenomenon is not only a health issue. The social determinants related to psychoactive substance use: personality, attitudes, expectations and motivations of the user, as well as his or her life situation and social context, show that the phenomenon has overall societal connections. In addition, there are the related dimensions of drugrelated crime, public nuisance and security concerns, as well as the financial and economic consequences. As they are linked to physical and mental health as well as to the overall societal context and public security concerns, policies on psychoactive substances qualify as a public health issue. Early intervention and primary prevention are crucial when seeking to reduce the impact of risk factors and strengthen the protection of a person who is vulnerable and/or at risk of starting drug use. This is about intervening early in life, but also at an early stage in cases where potential problems may be emerging. This means that the possible target groups are not just children and young people, but in fact anyone who can be considered vulnerable and/or at risk. Early intervention consists in identifying and handling a problem at such an early stage that the problem disappears or is reduced with limited intervention.

Targeting vulnerable groups

There is broad consensus among member states that policies need to pay specific attention to groups of people considered to be particularly at risk and vulnerable to drug use. These include: young offenders; young people in care; early school leavers or students with academic problems; young people who live in disadvantaged families or neighbourhoods; clubbers; people generally at risk of social exclusion and marginalised groups. Special attention must be paid to children of families with addiction problems and people traumatised by violence or sexual abuse. Research shows that people in these groups have a higher risk of early drug use, and faster progression to problem drug use, than people in the social mainstream. To achieve maximum effectiveness in reducing the risk that drug use related problems will arise, and tackle these problems where they are most likely to occur, drug policies should give priority to reaching these vulnerable groups. Key factors in achieving this are ensuring adequate access to services, on the one hand, and taking selective, target action, on the other.

1b.

medicinal drugs not considered dangerous but that can only be supplied to holders of a medical prescription, and sometimes drugs available without prescription but only from an approved supplier such as a pharmacy