From criminalization to complication: the negative side effects of repressive drug policies in the Netherlands
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2023-06-23
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en
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This thesis gives answer to the question: what are the side effects of repressive drug policies, and to what extent do they exacerbate drug problems in the Netherlands? and The goal of this thesis is to investigate the unintended side-effects of repressive Dutch drug policies. Therefore the displacement theory was applied. An extensive literature review was used to examine three cases: cocaine trafficking through the Port of Rotterdam, measures to reduce the production of ecstasy, and the tightening of rules on access to coffee shops. It appears that geographical and personal displacement is the most common, while changes in modus operandi, methodological displacement and crime-switch effects are also observed. Side effects observed in the first two cases due to the displacement effects, are criminal innovation and increasing complexity of criminal network structures, while in the third case the illegal cannabis market was boosted. The conclusion is that repressive policies have had a negative impact, exacerbating problems in terms of public health, drug-related crime, and social marginalisation and inequality. To reduce drug-related problems, policies needs to focus more on the prevention of drug use. For the development of the displacement theory, it is concluded that the occurrence of displacement effects is an interaction between repressive measures and the absence of control and policy in certain physical and legal spaces.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen