We have been given the opportunity to examine and develop a novel, sustainable solution to a social problem in Vancouver and we have chosen the issue of drug addiction. Through our research on substance abuse and drug policy, an overwhelming trend among professionals and supported by scientific research appears to be the ineffectiveness of drug prohibition in addressing drug issues and addiction.
However, alternatives to prohibition for drug policy are complex and difficult to develop due to the differing public opinions that exist and the stigma associated with drug use. Drug policy alternatives for prohibition is the innovative issue we are interested in focusing on.
Although this topic has been debated through public discourse and other means before, it has rarely been done involving university students whom normally would avoid such a topic. Exposing business students to such an issue we hope will be an innovative approach to developing discussion and policy suggestions. We want business students to go beyond developing alternatives as well and consider how their own skills in business and business as a whole can contribute making a positive change regarding addiction.
The overall goals of this event are to educate university students on the topics of drug policy and addiction. These individuals are this city and nations future policy makers and current voters. The hope is to both transform the way that they look at drugs and addiction, combat the stigma that is often associated with drug use, and give them a chance to develop and propose novel policy alternatives for a more unconventional topic in a creative way. We also hope to not only inform and educate, but develop innovative policy alternatives with the guidance of those who are professionally involved in topic.
BWiles
sunnyhoshingchan
changmai
mattbaril
Although prohibition doesn’t seem to work in many countries, it does work in some countries such as China and Singapore. It is because they are very strict in the prohibition method as the users can receive extremely stiff penalty for them.
I think it is best to either be very strict or very lenient in drug policies, but not in the middle. What do you think?
I do not think overly lenient drug policies would be hugely beneficial- although there is evidence that full decriminalization, such as in portugal, has its benefits. Full criminalization also has been shown to be both ineffective and effective in different countries and under differing circumstances. A regulated market for drugs, a sort of ‘middle’ approach has also been shown to have benefits as well such as the contolled heroin trials recently completed.
Your example of China as an example for full criminalization is due to the strictness and penalty- so in theory it is successful due to fear. This could not work in practice in Canada or Europe for example because our governing methods are far different. Therefore I think the best approach differs depending on the society and context that the solution operates within.
I think your choice of bringing social impact on this issue through educating is exactly to the point. Changing people’s way of thinking is essential in solving this social problem. It is good you start from a small scale, but in developing your program, you surely want to involve other audience as well.
I’m thinking other than forum, facebook discussion and other online activities, maybe some mobile educational events can be helpful, for example, a container exhibition that travels across the city to educate and inform the public. The exhibition can be in series with different themes, of course there can a theme called “your solution” to collect inspiring thoughts
Thanks Arita. Education and dialogue are definitely needed in first combating the stigma associated with drug use and changing people’s attitudes towards users. Transforming the opinion will help to transform the way we approach the problem of addiction to include more realistic and compassionate policies of dealing with it.
Such drugs are so addictive and harmful, I agree that education about drugs is key in a movement to combat drug use in Canada. Currently in Canada there are a lot of information about drinking and driving that students receive in secondary school, but there is a pitiful amount of lectures or brochures about drug use. Drugs come in varying substances, which makes it difficult to education students about them, since it is a much more complex topic than just drinking and driving. However, making sure that youths learn about at least the common factors between drugs, as well as the most prevalent drugs in Canada and their effects would help the youths to stay off drugs.
Therefore, in reforming the policy and attitude in which the government faces this problem, there must include plans to educate the public, especially secondary school students, who often start drug abuse during that period, is crucial.
We have seen that addiction is such a difficult issue to address one it develops, so much of the work to addressing drug use could be possibly avoided using an adequate prevention mechanism. However, that is not to say that drug prevention and awareness programs will keep all individuals away from drugs- people are bound to use them regardless. So I agree that adequate prevention must be a part of any strategy for dealing with drug use and addiction. I think the lack of drug awareness programs in highschools and at younger ages is due to the resistance of talking about them. It seems that the attitude is that as long as their not being talked about drug use may be avoided. But this is idealistic- young people will be exposed to drug through a variety of other means (community, on the street, perhaps even in their home environments) so education of the harms of these substances at a young age in my opinion couldn’t hurt.