“Why Neuroscience Matters for a Rational Drug Policy”

The title of this post is the title of this interesting new piece I found via SSRN.  Here is the abstract:

Drug addiction reflects abnormal operation of normal neural circuitry.  More than physical dependence, addiction represents changes in the brain that lead to increased craving and diminished capacity for the control of impulses.  Given the growing biological understanding of addiction, it is critical for scientists to play an active role in drug policy because, as neuroscientific understanding develops, we will, to a much greater degree, be able to target specific behavioral, pharmaceutical, and neurological treatments for specific addictions.  It is important to emphasize that biological explanations will not become equivalent to exculpation. Instead, the goal of explanation is to introduce rational sentencing and the opportunity for customized rehabilitation.  This approach is likely to show more utility and less cost than incarceration.  The neuroscientific community should continue to develop rehabilitative strategies so that the legal community can take advantage of those strategies for a rational, customized approach to drug addiction.

Some recent related posts:

• “America Should Decriminalize Drugs”:
• Talk of drug courts, but not major policy changes, in drug war from Obama team
• Thoughtful academic thoughts on ending marijuana prohibitions
• “Time For Marijuana Legalization?”
• Terrific commentary and assessment of the war on drugs
• Renewing a lawyerly pitch for ending drug prohibition
• More calls for an end to the drug war and legalization of marijuana