Caribbean Drugs

From Criminalization to Harm Reduction

Edited by Axel Klein, Marcus Day, and Anthony Harriott

'Policy makers in many parts of the world are interested in the role of Caribbean
countries in the production and trans-shipment of illicit drugs. However, the selfinterest of developed countries has not been matched by an analysis of drug use
and problems in the Caribbean itself. This very welcome book provides a unique
insight into smaller countries' attempts to shape their policy and response to drugs
in the context of national, regional and international imperatives.' - Professor Gerry
Stimson, Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Imperial College,
London

'About a century ago a few colonial countries plus the USA designed a system of
prohibiting drugs that now can be considered a major problem for human rights and
state sovereignty. This book's useful analysis of the unintended consequences in the
Caribbean transit zone of prohibition as drug 'control' may help bring about a much
needed review of the system.' - Professor Peter Cohen, Centre for Drug Research,
University of Amsterdam

'A refreshing look at how the criminalization of ganja has driven a wedge between
society and the state in the Caribbean, and how the prosecution of possession fills
up the gaols while the differential application of the law allows traffickers to go free.
The book is realistic in acknowledging the irresistible pressure from North America
and Europe to stop the trafficking through these countries but cogently makes the
point that this should not drive domestic policy into more and more punitive
responses.' - Cindy Fazey, Professor of International Relations, University of
Liverpool

'This book fills a major gap, providing substance abuse researchers, clinicians,
policy makers, and general readers on both sides of the Atlantic with a collection of
interesting and provocative essays. I highly recommend it.' - James A. Inciardi,
Director, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

Reviews
'Policy makers in many parts of the world are interested in the role of Caribbean
countries in the production and trans-shipment of illicit drugs. However, the selfinterest of developed countries has not been matched by an analysis of drug use
and problems in the Caribbean itself. This very welcome book provides a unique
insight into smaller countries' attempts to shape their policy and response to drugs
in the context of national, regional and international imperatives.' - Professor Gerry
Stimson, Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Imperial College,
London

'About a century ago a few colonial countries plus the USA designed a system of
prohibiting drugs that now can be considered a major problem for human rights and
state sovereignty. This book's useful analysis of the unintended consequences in the
Caribbean transit zone of prohibition as drug 'control' may help bring about a much
needed review of the system.' - Professor Peter Cohen, Centre for Drug Research,
University of Amsterdam

'A refreshing look at how the criminalization of ganja has driven a wedge between
society and the state in the Caribbean, and how the prosecution of possession fills
up the gaols while the differential application of the law allows traffickers to go free.
The book is realistic in acknowledging the irresistible pressure from North America
and Europe to stop the trafficking through these countries but cogently makes the
point that this should not drive domestic policy into more and more punitive
responses.' - Cindy Fazey, Professor of International Relations, University of
Liverpool

'This book fills a major gap, providing substance abuse researchers, clinicians,
policy makers, and general readers on both sides of the Atlantic with a collection of
interesting and provocative essays. I highly recommend it.' - James A. Inciardi,
Director, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware

'Only rarely do edited volumes, with multiple essays by scholars, exercise any
influence on public policy. But if I had to bet on one book that might, it's this one' Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

'Provides a useful introduction and examination of key policy issues raised by illicit
drugs and their considerable impact on Caribbean societies...the book would be
useful in courses like Drugs and Society or those on Cultures of the Caribbean.' Merrill Singer, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

'It offers a unique quasi-Historical-Comparative (H-C) analysis of illicit drug use, its
production, and transshipment across Caribbean countries and beyond...offer
readers a thorough review of the contemporary challenges and opportunities
enacting an effective Caribbean drug policy entails. The editors show great
diligence in outlining social, economic, political, and historical Caribbean realities
which few texts currently offer; a practice which surely will keep audiences
engaged...The editors of Caribbean Drugs set out to dismantle centuries old
stereotypes surrounding illicit drug use in Caribbean region. To this end, they were
successful.' - Wilson R. Palacios, Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice

Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
About Drugscope
Preface
Notes on Contributors

PART 1: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Introduction - Axel Klein, Marcus Day, Anthony Harriott

1: The Search for a New Drug Policy Framework: From the Barbados Plan of action to
the Ganja Commission: - Axel Klein

PART 2: POLICY RESPONSES: ADAPTING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO MEET THE

NEEDS OF THE REGION

2: Criminalizing Cultural Practice: The Case of Ganja in Jamaica - Barry Chevannes

3: Drugs Court in Jamaica: Means to an End or End in Itself? - Anthony Harriott and
Marlyn Jones

4: Drugs and the Prison System: Impact of Legislative Changes on the Prison Crises
in the Commonwealth Caribbean Region - Wendy Singh

5: Rethinking Privatisation: The State and Illegal Drugs in the Commonwealth

Caribbean - Philip Nanton

PART 3: INTERVENTIONS ON THE GROUND: PUTTING DEMAND REDUCTION INTO

PRACTICE

6: Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation in Jamaica and the Caribean - Howard
Gough

7: What's the Hook? Diary of a Drop-in Centre or Rehabilitation Before Abstinence Marcus Day

8: Cayman Drug Council: Practising Harm Reduction in a Zero Tolerance Society Catherine Chestnut

9: Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Drug Research: Pitfalls of Gathering Sensitive

Information in the Caribbean Context - Jennifer Hillebrand

PART 4: RESPONSES TO OPPORTUNITY: ECONOMICS OF DRUGS

10: Illicit Drug Markets in the Caribbean: Analysis of Information on Drug Flows
Through the Region - Michael Platzer

11: The Ganja Industry and Alternative Development in St Vincent and the
Grenadines - Axel Klein

Index

About the Authors:

Dr Axel Klein is Head of the International Unit at DrugScope, and a fellow at St.
Anthony's College, Oxford. He has carried out research projects in the Horn of Africa,
Nigeria and the Caribbean on conflict, society and culture, and the politics of drug
control. He is the coeditor of Fragile Peace: State Failure, Violence and Development
(Zed Books, 2002).

Marcus Day is coordinator of the Caribbean Harm Reduction