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Drug Policies and Drug Prevalence: The Role of Demand and Supply

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Abstract

Changes in drug policy within countries and variations in drug policy across countries do not show clear cut relationships with drug prevalence levels. Neither liberal nor repressive policies promote or reduce drug use. Though policy might affect supply, factors associated with demand seem to exert a greater impact. Socio-economic conditions and attitudes of the populations towards drugs and related areas might be more important than policy in determining the prevalence level of cannabis and the turnover rate to hard drug use.

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  1. Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstrasse 1, D 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Karl-Heinz Reuband

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Reuband, KH. Drug Policies and Drug Prevalence: The Role of Demand and Supply. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research 6, 321–336 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008673313900

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