Implications for the Global Narcotics Regime
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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2012 Examining the Dynamics of Policy Change and U.S. Narcotics Policy: Implications for the Global Narcotics Regime Felix Kumah-Abiwu West Virginia University Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Kumah-Abiwu, Felix, "Examining the Dynamics of Policy Change and U.S. Narcotics Policy: Implications for the Global Narcotics Regime" (2012). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 4881. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4881 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Examining the Dynamics of Policy Change and U.S. Narcotics Policy: Implications for the Global Narcotics Regime Felix Kumah-Abiwu Dissertation submitted to the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science Donley Studlar, Ph.D., Chair Scott Crichlow, Ph.D. Susan Hunter, Ph.D. Robert Duval, Ph.D. Graeme Donovan, Ph.D. Department of Political Science Morgantown, West Virginia 2012 Keywords: Policy Change; Agenda-Setting; U.S. Narcotics Policy; Orders of Change; Partisan Ideology; Global Narcotics Regime Copyright 2012 Felix Kumah-Abiwu ABSTRACT Examining the Dynamics of Policy Change and U.S. Narcotics Policy: Implications for the Global Narcotics Regime Felix Kumah-Abiwu The prohibition approach to narcotics control has been the dominant policy paradigm of the United States (US) and the global narcotics regime under the United Nations (UN) for more than a century. In recent years, however, key questions have been raised on the existing prohibition policy approach, which many consider as ineffective and unchanging from a broader perspective. It is based on this appearance of unchanging policy that this study seeks to investigate whether the US narcotics policy is undergoing any type of change or not. The study also seeks to explore the implications of US narcotics policy change on the global narcotics regime. It draws on three domestic policy theories: agenda-setting, partisan ideology, and policy paradigm theory (orders of change) to examine the dynamics of US narcotics policy change since 1993. The research study employs these theories as competing explanations and concludes that the narcotics policy process has largely undergone Hall’s (1993) conceptual second order change in policy. In essence, Hall’s (1993) theoretical concept of policy paradigm theory (orders of change) offers a persuasive explanation for the changing nature of the US narcotics policy. For the global implications of US policy change, the study finds that the US is more likely to influence and shape similar policy changes on the global narcotics regime because of its dominant influence on the regime. Dedication To Miranda, Prince, and Janice Kumah-Abiwu, Donley Studlar, Felicity Abiwu, and Jennifer McIntosh. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My academic journey has been very long and challenging, but very rewarding at the end. The road to this achievement could not have been possible without the Grace of Almighty God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My first and deepest thanks go to the Lord for His love, wisdom, and faithfulness. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my dearest wife Miranda (Sena), my son Prince (Elinam), and my daughter Janice (Esinam) for their endless love and support. I am also grateful to the rest of my family, especially my mom, Felicity (Mama Sitsofe), my late dad, John Atakumah, and my brothers and sisters. Indeed, my dissertation committee members deserve my special thanks and appreciation. I am deeply indebted to them for not only shaping and fine tuning my ideas, but also for their encouragement throughout the process of undertaking this research. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Donley Studlar (Eberly Family Distinguished Professor) for his outstanding guidance to the success of this work. His mentorship is not only exceptional but worthy of emulation. I am also grateful to Dr. Scott Crichlow (Chair of the Department), Dr. Susan Hunter, Dr. Robert Duval, and Dr. Graeme Donovan for their critical but useful comments on the work. I also want to thank Dr. Jeff Worsham, Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Joe Hagan, and all the faculty and staff (LeeAnn, Ronny, and Donna) at the Department of Political Science for their support and encouragement. My thanks also go to the faculty and staff of the Department of History and Africana Studies Program at West Virginia University (WVU). I am especially grateful to Dr. Krystal Frazier (Coordinator of the Africana Studies Program). I want to also express my sincere thanks to the interviewees who took time to complete the questionnaires for the study. I also acknowledge the generous financial support I received from the President’s Office for Social Justice as a Chancellor’s Scholar towards my doctoral program. Thanks to you Jennifer McIntosh and Charles Morris for making it possible. Finally, I must indicate that this journey to the ivory tower of knowledge has also been made possible because of my good friends, colleagues, and other wonderful individuals. I want to express my thanks to Eric Gavua & family, Dr. Edward Brenya & family, Dr. Bossman Asare, Dr. James Agbodzakey, Dr. Francis Abiew, Dr. Carolyn Lewis, Dr. Chali Nondo, Dr. Ebenezer Malcolm, Dr. Frederick Appah, Dr. Christine Lokko, Dr. Cyprien Lokko, Dr. Emmanuel Adugu, and Dr. Paul Filson. My thanks also go to Pastors Dave Hood, John Hood, Tony Sluzas, and the church family of Fresh Harvest Assembly of God in Morgantown, WV. I also appreciate the friendship of Pastor Adeniyi Adebisi and Rev. Dr. Adebola Adebayo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Morgantown, WV). Thanks also to Timothy, Kombe, Bagnini, Ellen, Saffa, Manfred, Dr. Nathaniel Iloanusi, Dr. Viviane Foyou, Dr. Maximo Martinez, and Dr. Sesime Adanu. I also want to thank Kofi & Sophia, Daniel, Sheila, Toyin, Charity Abiew & family, Liana Rahmawati, Julie & Brice, Gideon & Esther, Melanie Moroz, and last but not least, Rev. Kobina Ayitey. iv Acronyms ABA American Bar Association ACF Advocacy Coalition Framework AMA American Medical Association ASL Anti-Saloon League BNDD Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs BDAC Bureau of Drug Abuse Control BWC Better World Campaign CDAPCA Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CIA Central Intelligence Authority CMR Californians for Medical Rights CNOA California Narcotics Officers’ Association CMCA Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act CRS Congressional Research Service CSIU Customs Service Investigation Unit CSA California Sheriffs’ Association DCDATF Domestic Council Drug Abuse Task Force DEA Drug Enforcement Administration DPA Drug Policy Alliance DPF Drug Policy Foundation EU European Union FBN Federal Bureau of Narcotics FDA Food and Drug Administration GCDP Global Commission on Drug Policy GFWC General Federation of Women’s Clubs HST Hegemonic Stability Theory IOC International Opium Commission IOM Institute of Medicine INCB International Narcotics Control Board v INL International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs IRB Institutional Review Board IRB Internal Revenue Bureau JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association LEAP Law Enforcement Against Prohibition LON League of Nations MCPA Maine Chiefs of Police Association MPP Marijuana Policy Project MTA Marijuana Tax Act NCA Narcotics Control Act NCMDA National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse NDCS National Drug Control Strategy NDU Narcotics Division Unit NIDA National Institute on Drug Abuse NIH National Institute of Health NORML National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws NTA Narcotics Treatment Administration NSDUH National Survey on Drug Use and Health OCCA Organized Crime Control Act ODALE Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement ONDCP Office of National Drug Control Policy ONNI Office of National Narcotics Intelligence OSI Open Society Institute PM Progressive Movement PE Punctuated Equilibrium PRC Pew Research Center PSA Program on Substance Abuse SAODAP Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SFTF South Florida Task Force vi SSDP Students for Sensible Drug Policy RICO Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations TAN Transnational Advocacy Networks US United States UN United Nations UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNCND United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs UNICRI Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute WDR World Drug Report WCTU Women’s Christian Temperance Union WHO World Health Organization WNDA World Narcotics Defense Association vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages Chapter 1: Narcotics Control Policy Process ..........................................................……1