Davies, Ronald B (2010) Mandatory minimum sentencing, drug purity and overdose rates. Economic and Social Review, 41, (4), pp. 429-457.
External website: http://www.tara.tcd.ie/jspui/handle/2262/58563
As of 1987, the US’s Anti-Drug Abuse Act (ADAA) has imposed mandatory minimum sentences for drug traffickers based on the quantity of the drug involved irrespective of purity. Using the STRIDE dataset and a differences-in-differences approach, I find that this led to increases in cocaine and heroin purity of 52 per cent and 27 per cent respectively. It also affected the distribution of purity around its mean. Using data on emergency room visits, I show that changes in the distribution of purity had significant impacts on such visits. These results provide insights useful when considering Ireland’s drug policies which include the use of mandatory minimum sentences.
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Pharmacology and toxicology > Potency / strength
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Pharmacology and toxicology > Purity / adulterant
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Risk-taking behaviour
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Self-destructive behaviour / self-harm > Suicidal behaviour / suicide
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Risk and protective factors > Risk factors
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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