Drug Law Enforcement Revisited: The “War” Against the War on Drugs

• Author: Konstantinos Alexandris Polomarkakis
• Date: 01 July 2017
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042617697017
• Published date: 01 July 2017
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042617697017

Journal of Drug Issues

2017, Vol. 47(3) 396 –404

© The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042617697017

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Article

Drug Law Enforcement Revisited:

The “War” Against the War on

Drugs

Konstantinos Alexandris Polomarkakis1

Abstract

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.

Keywords

drug policy, war on drugs, law enforcement, drugs, illicit substances

Introduction

Law enforcement has been proclaimed as the most prevalent policy choice insofar as drug con-

trol is concerned. Few countries are more tolerant and put emphasis on a medical approach,

through treatment provision (Bennett & Holloway, 2005). Instead, it seems that the majority sup-

ports a harm-minimization model based on coercion, prohibition, and criminalization as panacea

in limiting the supply and use of illegal drugs (Kerr, Small, & Wood, 2005). This view comes in

direct confrontation with a considerable part of the academic community that perceives law

enforcement as inadequate—or failed—in achieving the said objectives (Wodak, 2001).

Furthermore, those scholars strive for drug use to “be regarded as primarily a health and social

issue, with funding raised for these measures to the level of drug law enforcement” (Wodak,

2001, p. 866). Thus, another perspective is forged, challenging the long-standing policy of

enforcement. In addition, the latter’s criticism also highlights its shortcomings in dealing with the

issue of illegal drugs and their misuse; had it been successful, not many voices to the contrary

1University of Bristol Law School, UK

Corresponding Author:

Konstantinos Alexandris Polomarkakis, University of Bristol Law School, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road,

Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK.

Email: k.alexandris-polomarkakis@bristol.ac.uk

697017JODXXX10.1177/0022042617697017Journal of Drug IssuesAlexandris Polomarkakis

research-article2017