Product Description

In the Caribbean islands, ganja, crack cocaine and the policy responses to them have triggered a social disaster. The islands, under US pressure, have adopted a region-wide policy of criminalization. Specialized drug courts have been created and traditional cultural practices around ganja consumption have been criminalized with serious human and social consequences. This is the first book to examine the experiences of Caribbean countries since they adopted this coordinated approach to the drugs problem. It throws fascinating light on the difficulties facing drug abuse and rehabilitation centres, and explores 'Harm Reduction', a fundamentally alternative approach to the drugs problem. There are valuable practical and policy lessons to be learned for other countries, including those with large Caribbean populations such as the US and UK.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1352121 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
'Policy makers in many parts of the world are interested in the role of Caribbean countries in the production and trans-shipment of illicit drugs. However, the self-interest of developed countries has not been matched by an analysis of drug use and problems in the Caribbean itself. This very welcome book provides a unique insight into smaller countries' attempts to shape their policy and response to drugs in the context of national, regional and international imperatives.' - Professor Gerry Stimson, Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Imperial College, London 'About a century ago a few colonial countries plus the USA designed a system of prohibiting drugs that now can be considered a major problem for human rights and state sovereignty. This book's useful analysis of the unintended consequences in the Caribbean transit zone of prohibition as drug 'control' may help bring about a much needed review of the system.' - Professor Peter Cohen, Centre for Drug Research, University of Amsterdam 'A refreshing look at how the criminalization of ganja has driven a wedge between society and the state in the Caribbean, and how the prosecution of possession fills up the gaols while the differential application of the law allows traffickers to go free. The book is realistic in acknowledging the irresistible pressure from North America and Europe to stop the trafficking through these countries but cogently makes the point that this should not drive domestic policy into more and more punitive responses.' - Cindy Fazey, Professor of International Relations, University of Liverpool 'This book fills a major gap, providing substance abuse researchers, clinicians, policy makers, and general readers on both sides of the Atlantic with a collection of interesting and provocative essays. I highly recommend it.' - James A. Inciardi, Director, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware 'Only rarely do edited volumes, with multiple essays by scholars, exercise any influence on public policy. But if I had to bet on one book that might, it's this one' - Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

About the Author
Dr Axel Klein is head of research at DrugScope, an information and advice-giving charity with which the book is associated. He is a fellow at St. Anthony's College, Oxford, and the coeditor of Fragile Peace: State Failure, Violence and Development (Zed Books, 2002). Marcus Day is coordinator of the Caribbean Harm Reduction Coalition, Saint Lucia. Dr Anthony Harriott is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. Most of the contributors are from the Caribbean.