September, 2008

Pot Smokers for Prohibition

by Jacob Sullum
The Conversation
September 19th, 2008

Jonathan is right that, according to the government’s survey data, “current” (i.e., past-month) use of illegal drugs is relatively rare. Still, something done by one in 12 Americans (about 20 million people)—or one in seven (36 million), if we look at past-year use—is a significant phenomenon that involves many otherwise law-abiding people. (We should also [...]

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Be Realistic about How Much Information Alone Changes Behavior

by Jonathan Caulkins
The Conversation
September 19th, 2008

I am happy to agree with the Erowids that accurate information about drugs is generally preferable, but we should be realistic about how much accurate information alone will accomplish. I’ll elaborate in a moment about some history of information-only campaigns in drug prevention, but I do not think the limitations are unique to drug use. [...]

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