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Abstract

This is a literature based study which aims to judge whether the UK's drug policy has contributed to the problems associated with drug use and evaluate how effective it has been at achieving its aims. Throughout the twentieth and twenty first centuries the UK government has pursued the prohibition of drugs rigorously. The 1971 misuse of drugs act underpins all policy aimed at stopping the spread and harm caused by drugs. This work will dive into the relevant literature, policy documents and empirical data sets to find out whether the UK's current policy is working and if not, what reforms can be put in place to improve it. I have found that the false rhetoric spun by policy makers has helped to propagate a policy which is not based on evidence, which has exacerbated the harm caused by prohibition. I highlight the numerous social problems that all stem from prohibition and the economic benefits that come with reform. I conclude the study by confirming that the UK's drug policy is not working and has acted as a catalyst for the various other issues that stem from drug use. Finally I suggest that the UK should decriminalise recreational drugs like in Portugal in order to optimise the drug policy, de stigmatise drug users and reduce the overall harm caused by drugs and prohibition. 

Course: Politics - BA (Hons) - C0313

Date Deposited: 2022-02-17

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13818.html