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Legalization of psychotropic substances as a potential developmen of the Czech (anti-)drug policy
Al-Halabiová, Ria ; Radimecký, Josef (advisor) ; Šejvl, Jaroslav (referee)
Background: Current drug policy seek to have a balanced approach, but the supply of drugs has no potential to significantly influence, as well as the quality of drugs on the black market. Drug legalization could be one of the most effective harm reduction tools and could help to reduce the negative effects of drug prohibition. Aim: The aim of the thesis is to describe the current drug control regimes and their treatment and to group the arguments supporting or not supporting the effectiveness of the given drug measures and especially drug legalisation. The aim of the research is to map the trends of thinking about drug legalization and other possibilities of their regulation among Czech drug policy makers and other stakeholders involved in its form. The sub-research questions present the opinions of the respondents on other related topics and they are defined by the uniformity of the terminological interpretation of the important terms. Methods: Qualitative methods were used for the research, namely a semi-structured interview conducted with seven representatives of the current form of Czech drug measures presenting the spectrum of Czech drug policy. For data analysis, the method of clustering and the plain enumeration method were used. Results: The analysis of the data revealed a disagreement...
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"U.S.-Mexican Counterdrug Security Cooperation: The Merida Initiative a Possible Solution?"
Paulino Rosario, Leandra ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Anděl, Petr (referee)
Mexico and the United States share not only an approximately 3000 km border but also important roles concerning drug traffic. With the U.S. as the major consumer and Mexico as its principal supplier, they make the perfect supply and demand equation. As a result, they share the threats related to drug traffic which affects the political, social, and economic level of both countries. During the last decade, the Mexican drug cartels have gained control of the drug entering the United States, so Mexico is a crucial issue in drug matters to their American neighbors. Currently, both nations accepted a shared responsibility in drug traffic cases and are working hand in hand to limit the capabilities of DTOs, but there remains the open question if such efforts are significantly useful. This thesis presents an analysis of the U.S. influence on the escalation of the fight against illicit drugs in Mexico during Bush and Obama administrations and the effectiveness of the counter-drug assistance program: the Merida Initiative. I argue that the Merida Initiative has been successful improving the U.S.-Mexican relations regarding bilateral counter-drug policies. However, the Mexican drug cartels have reached their momentum and seem to be leading the drug market. Besides, it is necessary to pursue a critical...
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The origins of harm reduction in the Czech Republic in the context of foreign drug policy
Stanislavová, Anita ; Nekola, Martin (advisor) ; Novotný, Vilém (referee)
This diploma thesis describes the origins of harm reduction (HR) in the Czech drug policy. It focuses on the role of HR in national strategies and the development of syringe and needle program and substitution treatment. The aim of the thesis is to describe and explain how the HR approach was developed in the Czech environment. Using the framework of policy diffusion, the author explains the mechanisms by which harm reduction was transferred from abroad. Thesis describes the history of drug policy and the development of the harm reduction approach in the world. This information forms the context in which the author advocates HR development in the Czech Republic's drug policy after 1989. By analysing expert texts and expert interviews she explains how the first national strategies were formed in which HR has been included since 1993. Similarly, it deals with the beginnings of syringe exchange, which has been in operation since 1986, and substitution treatment that was first used in 1992 and has been officially operational since 1997. The mechanisms of diffusion of HR from abroad to the Czech Republic are defined. In all three areas, the mechanism of learning is defined. Substitution treatment and national strategies are also defined by the mechanism of emulation. To a lesser extent, a mechanism of...
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United States Anti-Drug Policy in Colombia: Consolidation of the La Macarena Region as a Lesson derived from Plan Colombia?
Koutenská, Kristýna ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Kozák, Kryštof (referee)
The United States officially declared war on drugs in the early 1970s with the aim to stop the flow of illegal narcotics coming into the country. Not only did Washington enhance the domestic anti-drug policy, but it also strengthened the foreign anti-drug policy and launched an extensive campaign in Latin America, one of the major producers of drugs in the world. Chemical eradication and interdiction of drug-trafficking routes in Mexico, Peru and Bolivia led to a relocation of the cultivation of illegal crops to Colombia, closer to the laboratories. Thus, Bogota became the centre of attention for Washington. This bachelor thesis describes U.S. anti-drug strategies and highlights its limits, which influence the success rate of specific plans, in this case Plan Colombia and La Macarena Integral Consolidation Plan (PCIM). In 2000 Washington approved an ambitious Plan Colombia. One of its main objects was to reduce the production of cocaine in Colombia within six years. However, massive aerial eradication only led to a displacement of a large number of people and in the end the production of coca and cocaine even increased. The Colombia's National Territorial Consolidation Plan, more precisely the PCIM was supposed to put this situation right. The aim was to regain control over the municipalities that...
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U.S. role in escalation of the war on drugs in Mexico during the Calderón presidency
Hrušková, Daniela ; Kozák, Kryštof (advisor) ; Čapinská, Barbora (referee)
Bachelor thesis U.S. role in escalation of the war on drugs in Mexico during the Calderón presidency focuses on the U.S. influence on the escalation of the fight against illicit drugs in Mexico. First it describes history and development of the war on drugs since its beginning. This historical context is essential for interpreting the intensified anti-drug measures taken in Mexico after the year 2006. Then it presents the escalation of the fight and its effects during the presidency of Felipe Calderón in 2006-2012 in Mexico. It analyzes Calderón's proclaimed reasons to declare the war on drugs. Next it analyzes the influence of the U.S. on the Mexican decision to escalate the war on drugs and presents the U.S. aid to Mexican anti-drug war efforts. This thesis summarizes the development of the war on drugs and analyzes the U.S. influence on creating the Mexican anti-drug strategy after the year 2006 in the broader historical context of the war on drugs and in the context of the U.S.-Mexico asymmetrical relations.
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Concept of bilopolitics in the writings of M. Foucault with a specific focus on security in Czech republic from 1990 Drugs in Czech society
Štěpánková, Pavla ; Marcelli, Miroslav (advisor) ; Švantner, Martin (referee)
This diploma thesis called "Koncept biopolitiky v díle Michela Foucaulta s konkrétním zaměřením na bezpečnost v rámci oblasti ČR od roku 1990" is devoted to the theme of biopolitics in the writings of Michel Foucault. At first the thesis focuses on previous writings of Michel Foucault, which inspired his concept of biopolitics. It's all about the archeology of knowledge, discipline and sexuality dispozitiv. Biopolitics is a government practice that focuses on the population as a mass. The population by biopolitics is influenced by factors such as the environment, health issues, mortality etc. According to Foucault, biopolitics is originated in the political direction called liberalism. Foucault's ideas and theses are mainly related to the 19th century, but the theme of biopolitics is also relevant for our time. Therefore the diploma thesis focuses on the drugs problem in the Czech Republic on the basis of Foucault's biopolitics. The thesis acquaints us with the evolution of the drug scene in the Czech Republic after 1990, when there was a new political constitution. It acquaints us with the drug policy that works in the Czech Republic and with legislation that resolves the criminal page of drug problems. The thesis also deals with ways of helping drug addicts. Keywords biopolitics, discourse,...
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Unintended consequences of drug prohibition: How does the drug abuse start?
Džmuráň, Daniel ; Schwarz, Jiří (advisor) ; Mikolášek, Jakub (referee)
Drug abuse is a major contemporary issue that draws attention of scientists as well as of the general public. Attitudes towards drug prohibition, however, differ greatly. On the one hand, the so called prohibitionists emphasize that each country needs to fight drug abuse. Their critics, on the other hand, argue that this approach constitutes baseless interfererence with the free market and personal freedom. In addition, oponents of drug prohibition point out to the various unintended consequences that the prohibition brings along. Author of this text pays a special attention to the concept of these consequences and, as a result, gives a detailed overview of existing research on unintended consequences in the context of drug prohibition. The main goal of this text is to contribute into the discussion on drug prohibition by conducting a specific empirical research that discloses one of the negative consequences of the prohibition - the illegal black market. Being a direct effect of the drug prohibition, the black market increases the availability of drugs to teenagers. The validity of this effect was confirmed by data obtained by questionnaires from a sample of Prague drug users. The reason is that the data shows that the entrance into the black market for teenagers is enabled by their immediate...
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Legalization of Cannabis for Non-medical Purposes in the United States: Discrepancy between Federal and State Laws
Vlach, Tomáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Calda, Miloš (referee)
This thesis focuses on the issue of cannabis legalization in Colorado. Legislation adopted at the federal level prohibits production, distribution and consumption of cannabis. Through public ballot initiatives, use of cannabis for non-medical purposes was legalized on the state level. This approach represents a fundamental change in drug policy and, in the future, it could affect federal drug policy regarding cannabis. This thesis uses the example of Colorado to illustrate the inconsistency in the legal approach to cannabis between some of the U.S. states and the federal government. By describing and analyzing the control measures in Colorado, this thesis aims to identify various regulatory risks, which might cause conflicts with the federal government. The thesis points to the liberal aspects of the regulation in Colorado and confronts the discrepancy with the directive of the federal government to establish a strong regulatory framework that is consistent with federal priorities in the area of law enforcement. The thesis contains a set of recommendations that contribute to reducing potential negative effects. Even though the federal government did not interfere with state's cannabis legalization, these recommendations could prevent a possible clash with the federal government, which still de jure...
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