Michael Murtagh

Economic Analysis of Prohibition and Harm Reduction- Theory and Application in the Polish Context Michael Murtagh

Prohibitive drug policies have been implemented in varying degrees throughout the world. These policies fail when analyzed from the perspective of law and economics and are in actuality the legislation of dominant morals and prohibition of undesirable behavior. Further, they seem to create the harm that they are charged with reducing, that is, they increase both drug-related crime and health problems to drug users. Methods of harm reduction, on the other hand, are a pragmatic and open-minded investment in human capital that have great potential and a proven success record in reducing addiction, the harmful effects of drugs, and drug-related crime. An analysis of the Polish history of drug legislation and harm reduction efforts shows the potential for success of harm reduction in an environment that has become increasingly prohibitive. This book is addressed to students, legal scholars, law enforcement professionals, economists, harm reduction workers, people who use drugs, and policy makers.