Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Law
Drug Policy Alternatives- A Response From The Bench, John Curtin
Drug Policy Alternatives- A Response From The Bench, John Curtin
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by discussing the tremendous financial and social cost incurred by drug use and regulation. It then discusses some positive efforts to deal with the problem such as legalization and decriminalization. The article then states that it will take time to figure out the extent of legalization needed, and until that is figured out we need to focus efforts on harm reduction. The article then addresses whether the constitution bans drugs at all. Finally, the article concludes by stating that we can never hope to fully eliminate drug use, we can only hope to contain it, and gives …
Our Drug Laws Have Failed - So Where Is The Desperately Needed Meaningful Reform?, David C. Leven
Our Drug Laws Have Failed - So Where Is The Desperately Needed Meaningful Reform?, David C. Leven
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by stating that the harsh drug laws of New York have failed to have an effect on the amount of drug dealers and instead have led to overcrowding of prisons with non-addict drug users. It states that the laws must be modified to give greater sentencing to judges, increasing diversion of non-violent offenders to rehabilitation. The article then delineates the problems resulting from current drug law and the criticism thereof. It then states the attempted reforms of drug laws that have been insufficient. The article concludes by suggesting proposals to solve the problems delineated, including proportionate sentences, …
Thinking About Drug Law Reform: Some Political Dynamics Of Medicalization, Fredrick Polak
Thinking About Drug Law Reform: Some Political Dynamics Of Medicalization, Fredrick Polak
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by stating that many people believe that medicalization offers the most reasonable approach to drug policy because it offers a dignified approach to treatment of addicts. However, it risks being a form of repression itself because it may define abstinence as the only acceptable treatment outcome. The article then explores the position of the medical profession in drug policy. It then looks at the negative political and social aspects and consequences of an abstinence-directed medicalization policy. The article concludes by stating that if abstinence is always the treatment goal then medicalization will be even less voluntary and …
From Free Trade To Prohibition: A Critical History Of The Modern Asian Opium Trade, Alfred W. Mccoy
From Free Trade To Prohibition: A Critical History Of The Modern Asian Opium Trade, Alfred W. Mccoy
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by exploring America's current war on drugs and how it represents a misuse of its power and misperception of the global narcotics trade. It continues and puts forth that Asia's opium production may soon increase to levels that will defeat the war on drugs now being waged by the United State and United Nations and goes into the the extent of Opium production in Asia. It then looks at a history of Opium trade, including the era which began prohibition and then the cold war, which began the expansion of the Asian opium trade. The article then …
Is Our Drug Policy Effective, Jefferson M. Fish
Is Our Drug Policy Effective, Jefferson M. Fish
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by stating that the time has come for a reexamination of our drug policy. It continues by discussing the two day conference "Is Our Drug Policy Effective?" "Are There Alternatives?" organized by several committee's. Because of space constraints, the article mainly delves into two topics, certain substances both licit and illicit with regard to both their physiological effects and the policies governing them, and also the disproportionate emphasis placed by the war on drugs on combating marijuana. The article then gives summaries of the speakers at the conference. These include: Objectives of our drug policy, overviews of …
Institutionalizing Innovation: The New York Drug Court Story, John Feinblatt, Greg Berman, Aubrey Foxx
Institutionalizing Innovation: The New York Drug Court Story, John Feinblatt, Greg Berman, Aubrey Foxx
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The article begins by discussing the problems that drug use is causing in the American Criminal Justice System. The article then discusses the use of "drug courts," which have proven effective in reducing drug use and recidivism. It then looks at the potential benefit of drug courts to the criminal justice system and states some of the questions pertaining to drug courts, such as limits and the requirement of specialized judges. The article concludes by looking at what critics have said about the use of drug courts, and by stating that the drug court idea is worth trying.