Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Michelle Switzer

Second Advisor

Claudia Dorrington

Abstract

This paper is a qualitative comparative analysis of drug policies in the Netherlands and the United States through a review of literature. This project examines the individual, social, political, and philosophical implication of each country’s model for dealing with drug use/addiction and compares and contrast them to deduce which is most effective overall. These two countries specifically are compared because of their polar approaches in dealing with issues of drug use, addiction, and sale. This project explains how the Netherlands recognizes drug use/addiction as a public health issue, while the United States has a punishment- based approach. It also examines why the Netherlands policy suggests that it is not illegal to harm oneself through drug use, and what positive and/or negative effects this might have on society. This paper also examines the philosophical theories that support both the Netherlands’ and the United States’ views of drug use.

Comments

WSP Major: Studies in Ethics and American Society, with a minor in English

Download

Share

COinS