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Title: BEYOND THE HAZE: ANALYZING DRUG PENALTY LAWS IN SOUTH ASIA AND THEIR EFFICACY IN REDUCING ILLICIT USE
Authors: Maahin Kant
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Maahin Kant Singapore American School, Singapore
MLA 8 Kant, Maahin. "BEYOND THE HAZE: ANALYZING DRUG PENALTY LAWS IN SOUTH ASIA AND THEIR EFFICACY IN REDUCING ILLICIT USE." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 5, no. 10, Oct. 2020, pp. 3250-3256, doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2020.v05i10.030. Accessed Oct. 2020. APA 6 Kant, M. (2020, October). BEYOND THE HAZE: ANALYZING DRUG PENALTY LAWS IN SOUTH ASIA AND THEIR EFFICACY IN REDUCING ILLICIT USE. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 5(10), 3250-3256. doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2020.v05i10.030 Chicago Kant, Maahin. "BEYOND THE HAZE: ANALYZING DRUG PENALTY LAWS IN SOUTH ASIA AND THEIR EFFICACY IN REDUCING ILLICIT USE." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 5, no. 10 (October 2020), 3250-3256. Accessed October, 2020. doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2020.v05i10.030.
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Abstract: Drug penalty law and policy remains a topic of concern around the world. While there is increased awareness of the importance of harm reduction and rehabilitative policies, countries in South Asia continue to adopt zero tolerance policies to penalize drug use, which focus on imprisonment and the death penalty. While human rights groups and civil society have been crucial in changing the discourse in these countries, the law remains woefully inadequate in addressing the root causes of drug abuse with a sole focus on deterrence. Given this pertinent issue, this paper will analyze the cases of India and Singapore as case studies for South Asia, and the legal developments with respect to drug penalty laws in these countries. Upon comparing and contrasting the two countries, the paper will pose policy recommendations drawing from international best practices and literature on addiction, and suggest the merits of reforming these laws in a direction away from harsh and punitive measures.

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