Drug Decriminalization in Maryland Through an African Centered Research Paradigm- Analysis and Recommendations

in service of humanism and “good science” risk being redeployed by those seeking to protect
whiteness from the racialized “fall from whiteness” that is addiction.
The analysis of Karam, Neatherland and Hansen reflects much of what has previously been
stated around the importance of challenging eurocentric norms around how to evaluate data and
pursue research. His analysis of the fear of intoxication as reflective of a fear of spiritual
“possession” validates Schiele and Akbar’s interpretation of the importance of an understanding
of cultural psychology and incorporating “spirituality” into an analysis of law and so-called
“objective” research. It also reflects the necessity of viewing culture as a real, material force that
must be taken into account in order to understand the policy. At the same time, rationality and
critical thinking may be universal, the idea that a rational individual capable of delaying
gratification and holding onto their rational objective faculties is so essential to this society’s view
of safety. Those who are deemed to not reflect these ideas deserve violent exclusion from society.
Additionally, social control is a characteristic specific to Western cultures under modern
imperialism and anti-Black violence, and this must be taken into account in order to understand
the evolution of drug policy. Finally, it challenges the positivistic and progressive notions that
underlie many assumptions behind research and the scientific method. Rather than research almost
axiomatically being better by applying the scientific method to problems, research risks becoming
a tool that furthers the cultural project of policing boundaries of the rational and irrational.
Researchers position themselves as exemplars of rationality and relegate those who disagree with
them as absurd “others.” Thus, research should be pursued with appropriate levels of humility and
care.
This analysis allows us to return to the “standard model” drug decriminalization argument
and further interrogate its assumptions, now with a specific focus on the “decriminalization”
portion of the argument. Decriminalization is seen as essential to control dangerous diseases, and
presents Portugal’s model as an alternative which creates social benefits for everyone, even the
police. Domolawski writes:
“Responding to drug use and possession with the tools of law enforcement means that
public health suffers. Drug dependencies largely go untreated; inside most prisons there
is no access to needle exchange, opiate substitution or other treatments. HIV and Hepatitis
C spread easily. Large numbers of inmates take up drug use in prison, and many overdose
shortly after release. Prison is simply not the answer to drug use and minor drug-related
offenses. We need to find a better, more humane response.
The basis for this response can be found in a growing international movement led
by scientists, health practitioners, drug users, policymakers, and law enforcement officials
who are committed to effective, enduring, and humane solutions to the challenges of drug
use. The Global Commission on Drug Policy, whose members include four past presidents,
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