Citation

Rosenthal MP. J. Soc. Iss. 1971; 27(3): 53-72.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1971, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1540-4560.1971.tb00669.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A discussion of foreseeable changes in our laws relating to mind- and mood-altering drugs and the implications and consequences thereof. For marijuana the major question is legalization in its several alternative forms and the ramifications and problems which would be generated. For narcotics the problems concern methadone maintenance programs and civil commitment and preventive detention plans. Other categories of drugs--amphetamines, barbiturates, the various hallucinogens--each pose unique questions and complications. The author discusses the future of drug research and the effects (potentially discouraging) on it of changes in legal control. What is required is a shift away from fearful and panic-like responses to "the drug problem"; we must learn to live with the fact of the presence and the probably increasing use of these substances.

Language: en