The Legalization of Drugs
Doug Husak author Peter de Marneffe author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:12th Sep '05
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
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- Hardback£42.00(9780521837866)
This book presents two philosophical views on the legalization of drugs.
In the US today the use or possession of many drugs is a criminal offense. Husak argues in favor of drug decriminalization, by clarifying the meaning of crucial terms. de Marneffe argues against drug legalization, demonstrating why drug prohibition is necessary to protect young people from self-destructive drug use.In the United States today, the use or possession of many drugs is a criminal offense. Can these criminal laws be justified? What are the best reasons to punish or not to punish drug users? These are the fundamental issues debated in this book by two prominent philosophers of law. Douglas Husak argues in favor of drug decriminalization, by clarifying the meaning of crucial terms, such as legalize, decriminalize, and drugs; and by identifying the standards by which alternative drug policies should be assessed. He critically examines the reasons typically offered in favor of our current approach and explains why decriminalization is preferable. Peter de Marneffe argues against drug legalization, demonstrating why drug prohibition, especially the prohibition of heroin, is necessary to protect young people from self-destructive drug use. If the empirical assumptions of this argument are sound, he reasons, drug prohibition is perfectly compatible with our rights to liberty.
ISBN: 9780521546867
Dimensions: 226mm x 152mm x 15mm
Weight: 308g
222 pages