Simple possession as a ‘tool’: Drug law enforcement practices among police officers in the context of depenalization in British Columbia, Canada

2022 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 103471
Author(s):  
Alissa Greer ◽  
Naomi Zakimi ◽  
Amanda Butler ◽  
Sarah Ferencz

Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) is a HIV/AIDS prevention programme targeting hardcore drug addicts. NSEP encourages addicts to exchange used needles with new syringe for free. The NSEP in Malaysia involves the cooperation of multi-sector agencies such as the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC). The implementation of the NSEP creates controversy when it being seen to encourage continuous drug addicts activities and solely focus on HIV/AIDS prevention. An exploratory study being conducted to examine the involvement of multisectoral in the NSEP. This article would only discuss RMP's findings with regards to its discretionary dilemma as a drug law enforcement agency. Five police officers of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department were selected as informants. Data collection being carried out by using an in-depth interview method. The analyses form theme from data that being carried out inductively. This article would discuss only two of the overall studies: i) the form of discretion given by the RMP to NSEP clients and ii) the challenges encountered by RMP in defending its discretion. The findings highlighted dilemma encountered by police on their discretion not to arrest or impose any detention procedures towards NSEP clients. The RMP found it difficult to exercise discretion towards client because: i) the discretion not to arrest the addict was against the law, ii) the RMP was concerned about the misuse of discretion by the client and iii) the discretionary giving could affect public perception of RMP responsibility and integrity. The study proposes a module in implementing the NSEP on a multisectoral network especially involving the police.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-418
Author(s):  
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

Canada has received praise and international attention for its departure from strict cannabis prohibition and the introduction of a legal regulatory framework for adult use. In addition to the perceived public health and public safety benefits associated with legalization, reducing the burden placed on the individuals criminalized for cannabis use served as an impetus for change. In comparison to many jurisdictions in the United States, however, Canadian legalization efforts have done less to address the harms that drug law enforcement has inflicted on individuals and communities. This article documents the racialized nature of drug prohibition in Canada and the US and compares the stated aims of legalization in in both jurisdictions. The article outlines the various reparative measures being proposed and implemented in America and contrasts those with the situation in Canada, arguing, furthermore that the absence of social justice measures in Canadian legalization is an extension of the systemic racism perpetuated under prohibition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Alexandris Polomarkakis

From the closure of London’s nightclub Fabric to Duterte’s drug war, law enforcement has become the policy choice par excellence for drug control by stakeholders around the globe, creating a rift between theory and practice, the former vehemently dismissing most of its alleged benefits. This article provides a fresh look on the said regime, through examining its implications in the key areas of illicit drug markets, public health, and broader society. Instead of adopting a critical stance from the start, as much of the literature does, the issue is evaluated from the perspective of a focus on the logic and rationality of drug law enforcement approaches, to showcase from within how problematic the latter are. The article concludes by suggesting at least a reconceptualization of the concept, to give way to more sophisticated policies for finally tackling the issue of illegal drugs effectively.


Addiction ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 100 (8) ◽  
pp. 1110-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Smithson ◽  
Michael McFadden ◽  
Sue-Ellen Mwesigye

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