What Is Drug Policy For?

by Julia Buxton

Overview

The production, sale and possession of some drugs is criminalized – but why? And why, despite vast resources and budgets, have international efforts to control them so consistently failed?

Julia Buxton looks at how our current drug control regime came about from the first US-driven international meeting on drug control in the early 20th century and the ideologies behind it. She also charts the evolution of today's drugs market, looking at where drugs are produced and consumed, giving voice to those who get caught up in this world.

Ultimately she asks: if the current strategy isn't working, what should replace it?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529241457
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	09/30/2025
Series:	What Is It For?
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208

About the Author

Julia Buxton is Professor of Justice at John Moores University in Liverpool and British Academy Global Professor. Her research, teaching and supervision focus on illicit drug markets and the impact of counter narcotics policies on development, gender equality and security. She has experience of applied and practice focused research in policy design and evaluation, including conflict, rights based and gender sensitive processes. She has geographical expertise on Latin America and is a specialist on Venezuela.

Julia was previously Professor of Comparative Politics, Associate Dean and Acting Dean at the School of Public Policy, Central European University in Budapest where she managed awards from Open Society Foundations Global Drug Policy Programme on drug policy analysis, drug policy enforcement, and an annual drug policy reform summer school. She previously held positions in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, Georgetown University and Kingston University.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Drug Criminalization: Is it Working?

2 Building an International Drug Prohibition

3 The Persistence of the Drug User

4 The Problem of Endless Supply

5 What Chance of Drug Policy Reform?

Editorial Reviews

An interesting, engaging and accessible book on a topic of huge yet underexamined personal and societal importance.” David Nutt, Imperial College London

“Professor Buxton takes us on a very genuine and reflective journey of the developments and contradictions of drug policy, navigating the politics and morals of drugs in policy making and its devastating impact on individuals and families. An essential read!” Karen A. Joe Laidler, University of Hong Kong

“In no health domain is the gap between what policies are and what the evidence says they should be as huge as in drug policies. Julia Buxton is one of the most respected scientists to discuss this.” Michel Kazatchkine, Special Advisor to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

"A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the irrational & racist origins of drug prohibition. Importantly, Buxton outlines the urgent solutions needed to address the catastrophic harms the system has created. " Niamh Eastwood, Release

“An urgent rallying cry laying bare the global hypocrisies underlying the local harms of existing drug policies. Buxton equips activists with persuasive weapons to counter punitive models and promote health- and rights-based alternatives.” Maria-Goretti Ane, consultant in drug policy, harm reduction and human rights

“In no health domain is the gap between what policies are and what the evidence says they should be as huge as in drug policies. Julia Buxton is one of the most respected scientists to discuss this.” Michel Kazatchkine, Special Advisor to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

From the Publisher