Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
Power, Democracy and Drug Reform: Challenging the ‘War on Drugs’
Power, Democracy and Drug Reform: Challenging the ‘War on Drugs’
Power, Democracy and Drug Reform: Challenging the ‘War on Drugs’
Friday 4th February 2022
Julian Buchanan exposes the political motives behind the 'War on Drugs' and advocates for human rights-focused drug reform in this compelling episode.
10 minutes
Thought-provoking
Informative
Raw
Engaging
Compelling
About this podcast
Author:
Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
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Categories:
Policy & Advocacy
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
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Get the buttons here!Reimagining Drug Policies: Julian Buchanan on the War on Drugs
While alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and maybe cannabis enjoy privileged status, the scourge, oppression and madness of a drug apartheid remains an affront to human rights, a system of punishment and control that will continue to haunt this generation and future generations to come, one that will be remembered shamefully in history.
Have you ever questioned the logic behind the 'War on Drugs'? In this episode of 'Making Sense of Drugs', Julian Buchanan, an associate professor at the Institute of Criminology at Victoria University of Wellington, tackles this very issue. Buchanan asserts that the 'War on Drugs' is more of a political maneuver than a scientifically backed initiative.
He introduces the concept of a drug apartheid, where drugs are arbitrarily categorized as legal or illegal without any real basis in evidence or harm reduction principles. This separation, he argues, only serves to stigmatize and punish those who use non-approved substances. Buchanan also discusses how social media has become a powerful tool for drug reform. It spreads evidence-based knowledge and galvanizes a massive social movement demanding political change.
He emphasizes that drug reform should focus on protecting human rights and promoting harm reduction rather than merely decriminalizing substances like cannabis as a token gesture. This episode offers a deep dive into the political roots of the 'War on Drugs' and how it perpetuates a system of oppression. Buchanan's insights challenge listeners to rethink conventional wisdom and consider more humane and effective drug policies.
Whether you're new to the topic or well-versed in drug policy debates, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the true stakes of drug reform.