Narcotic Addiction in Britain and America

Drug addiction in the U.S.A., in comparison with this country, remains a major ^ealth problem. Various theories have been postulated over the years to explain this difference, and Dr. Schur, in his book, has endeavoured to compare and contrast the tfect which varying administrative measures have had on the fate of the drug addict. puring a two-year research period in the U.K., he made a thorough study of the t$ritish attitude to drug addiction, and, writing as an American, he gives a very clear and comprehensive description of our methods of dealing with the problem. It may Seem strange to British readers, accustomed as they are to drug addiction being treated 3s a medical condition, to learn of the severe penal attitude which is adopted towards Edicts in the U.S.A. Dr. Schur describes in interesting detail the various processes ^ hich have led to these punitive measures being introduced in his own country, and e emphasises the powers which the Federal Bureau of Narcotics hold in this field. This study serves a double purpose. First, it provides an interesting review of the ^Tent position with regard to drug addiction in the two countries. Secondly, it may more weight to an as yet small, but growing, body of opinion in the U.S.A., that a ^Ss punitive and more humane approach to the drug addict might reap bigger 'v'dends.