ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews a range of definitions of the term ‘well-being’, the indicators used to measure it, and its relevance to drugs policy analysis. It then explores how drugs policy impacts upon well-being and, finally, discusses the issues raised with some real-world examples. The chapter argues that the wellbeing paradigm is useful in drugs policy because it provides a fresh and comprehensive perspective from which to critically analyse and compare different approaches to managing drugs use in society. It will suggest that the current policy of international drugs prohibition has largely negative impacts upon well-being globally. The unregulated nature of illegal drugs markets undermines well-being, and where well-being is already low, it lowers it further.
