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The ethics of not taking a stand: dilemmas of drug and alcohol prevention in a consumer society—a case study

2004; Elsevier BV; Volume: 15; Issue: 5-6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.drugpo.2004.08.004

1873-4758

Pekka Sulkunen, Kati Rantala, Mirja Määttä,

Public Health Policies and Education

Advanced consumer societies face a dilemma in alcohol and other drug policy between individual freedom of choice and the need to prevent problems. As in many other areas of problem prevention and health promotion, the policy solution often emphasises the moral management of the self. This article argues, on the basis of a case study of a community-based alcohol and other drug prevention programme for young people in Finland, that the moral resources of public administration may not be sufficient for efficient prevention policies. The policies known to work, such as reduction of alcohol availability or restrictions on smoking, impinge on consumer choice, on market freedom and on lifestyle issues that are considered to be a private matter. As a result, public authorities tend to delegate responsibility downwards, from managers to field workers and from field workers to parents and schools. A consequence may be the use of policies that do not work but have popular appeal, such as zero tolerance instead of harm reduction programmes of illicit drugs. The emphasis on moral management of the self may lead to moral management of the other, which strongly disadvantages most youth and does not meet the needs of young persons in greatest need of help.