The Simple Analytics of Illicit Drug Policy

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Doessel, Darrel P and Williams, Ruth F. G (2008) The Simple Analytics of Illicit Drug Policy. The Australian Economic Review, 41 (3). pp. 239-249. ISSN 0004-9018

Abstract

The impact of alternative drug policy objectives, specifically harm reduction/harm minimisation or prohibition, is unclear. The literature is confusing. This article conceptualises the causal connection between drug consumption and health harm (or reduced health status) then clarifies the implication of ‘drug related harm’. By applying some geometrical tools from economics, the choice of policy objective is analysed. The preferences of policy advocates are then incorporated. Policy advocates are conceived as arguing that decisionmakers and consumers should adopt their preferences between drugs and health harm. With this approach, the difference between alternative drug policies, in particular prohibition and harm minimisation/reduction, is demonstrated.

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Item type	Article
URI	https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/3624
DOI	10.1111/j.1467-8462.2008.00494.x
Official URL	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aere.20...
Subjects	Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Economics and Finance Historical > FOR Classification > 1402 Applied Economics Historical > SEO Classification > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health)
Keywords	ResPubID15656. alternative drug policy, illicit drug policy
Citations in Scopus	1 - View on Scopus
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