Drug Legalization, Harm Reduction, and Drug Policy

15 September 1995 | Volume 123 Issue 6 | Pages 461-465

The current U.S. policy options on drug use are reviewed in the context of the history of drug policy in the United States. A restrictive drug policy is a deterrent to drug use and helps reduce drug-related costs and societal problems. Although legalization or decriminalization of drugs might reduce some of the legal consequences of drug use, increased drug use would result in harmful consequences.

Author and Article Information

From the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., Washington, D.C., and the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas.
Requests for Reprints: Eric A. Voth, MD, The International Drug Strategy Institute, 901 SW Garfield Avenue, Topeka, KS 66606.
Current Author Addresses: Dr. DuPont: Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., 6191 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852.