Reading Assignment for Section 3.4

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 3.4: Drug Policy Reform Movements.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll explore the growing push for drug policy reform and its focus on harm reduction and public health over enforcement. You’ll learn about the history and impact of marijuana legalization and compare approaches like decriminalization and legalization, using examples such as Portugal’s model. By the end, you’ll understand the challenges to reform and strategies for overcoming opposition while addressing drug-related harms effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 3.4: Drug Policy Reform Movements

• SLO 1: Explain the key criticisms of enforcement-focused drug policies and how these criticisms have motivated reform movements emphasizing public health and harm reduction.
• SLO 2: Describe the history and impact of marijuana legalization, including the role of medical marijuana in shaping public opinion and policy.
• SLO 3: Differentiate between drug decriminalization and legalization, using Portugal’s model as an example, and analyze its outcomes in reducing drug-related harms.
• SLO 4: Evaluate the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs and naloxone distribution, in addressing the negative impacts of drug use.
• SLO 5: Identify the main challenges and opposition to drug policy reform, including concerns over public safety and the role of vested interests, and propose strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

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