Effect of Drug Law Enforcement on Drug-Related Violence

Evidence from a Scientific Review, International Centre for Science in Drug Policy.

While violence has traditionally been framed as resulting from the effects of drugs on individual users (e.g., violence stemming from drug-induced psychosis), violence is increasingly being understood as a means used by individuals and groups to gain or maintain market share of the lucrative illicit drug trade. From an evidence-based public policy perspective, gun violence and the enrichment of organized crime networks appear to be natural consequences of drug prohibition. In this context, and since drug prohibition has not achieved its stated goal of reducing drug supply, alternative models for drug control may need to be considered if drug supply and drug-related violence are to be meaningfully reduced.