It must not be assumed that arrests of dealers and traffickers and drug seizures will automatically have a positive impact on communities. Although drug laws reinforced by a level of enforcement appear to have contained the illicit drug market to some degree, ‘more’ enforcement generally does not lead to ‘less’ availability because established drug markets are too resilient and adaptable.
However, there is an opportunity for enforcement to impact on reducing drug-related harms even when drug markets are entrenched and no reduction in supply is observed. This is because not all drug markets are equally harmful, and the very adaptability of drug markets that frustrates efforts to eradicate supply can provide enforcement with the potential to reshape the market into less ‘noxious’ forms. Enforcement can, for instance:
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crack down on particularly harmful behaviours such as gun violent, sexual exploitation or use of children as lookouts or couriers;
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close open (flagrant) drug markets that erode community confidence;
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push markets out from particularly damaging places e.g. residential areas;
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ensure addicted users and dealers get treatment and support.
A focus on the real impact of drug-related law enforcement on communities would help to ensure there was a net-benefit associated with enforcement activity. This approach would include a comprehensive assessment of the types of harms caused by drug markets, an understanding of the market characteristics that are causing these harms, and good evaluations which look to measure both intended and unintended impact of interventions.
By consistently curtailing the most harmful aspects of drug markets, this approach may have a more sustainable impact. Traditional enforcement does not deter a significant number from trafficking and dealing as for some, the risk is always worth the gain. However deterring particularly harmful practices may be a successful approach as it is only necessary to make them too risky (with little extra gain) compared to other, less harmful practices.
There are two reports which summarise this review: The first is a short briefing aimed at key strategy and policy makers and influencers:
Moving towards Real Impact Drug Enforcement [PDF 183KB] - Briefing Paper
The second is a full review report which includes desk research, case study examples and practical tools for adopting a harm-focussed approach:
Refocusing Drug-Related Law Enforcement to Address Harms [PDF 660KB] - Full Review Report
