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"Why Neuroscience Matters for a Rational Drug Policy"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the title of this interesting new piece I found via SSRN.  Here is the abstract: Drug addiction reflects abnormal operation of normal neural circuitry.  More than physical dependence, addiction represents changes in the brain that lead to increased craving and diminished capacity for the control of impulses.  Given the growing biological understanding of addiction, it is critical for scientists to play an active role in drug policy because, as neuroscientific understanding develops, we will, to a much greater degree, be able to target specific behavioral, pharmaceutical, and neurological treatments for specific addictions.  It is important to emphasize that biological explanations will not become equivalent to exculpation...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on May 06, 2009 (boomark / email).