Illegal drug use is common across Europe—and around the world. Drug use is accompanied by drug markets, which emerge and evolve as an inevitable response to demand. Drug policies are enacted in response to these, whether aimed at eliminating use and supply, or minimising the harms related to them. These are the core components of the ‘drug problem’.
While the drug problem is a global phenomenon, the way its components manifest themselves vary widely. The prevalence of use of different drugs changes over time and across different places. The characteristics of drug cultures and drug markets differ by geographical, social and cultural context. Drug policies, while broadly governed by global drug treaties, are shaped by local and national politics and designed to respond to local and national concerns.
Drug use, drug markets and drug policies are, ultimately, located in specific geographical, cultural and temporal contexts. As the drug problem varies across place, space and time, so understanding drug issues must take account of these dimensions. In this book, we bring together contributors from across Europe, each focussing on different aspects of the drug problem in different countries and different contexts. Each chapter contributes important knowledge about specific aspects and examples of the drug problem. Together, they provide even greater insights into the relationships between drug use, markets and policy, and their situation in place, space and time.