Public Policy and Judicial Perspectives in Two Canadian Cities: The Case of Heroin

Abstract

After noting the difficulties of translating social research on drugs into drug policies, this paper focuses on one group within the criminal justice system in Canada, the judiciary, and their responses to several questionnaire items on the use and distribution of heroin. Judges at all levels of the judiciary in two large metropolitan cities in Canada were mailed questionnaires and telephoned to request interviews. Although the response rate was somewhat low, an attempt is made to describe a judicial perspective on heroin offences and offenders. Given a broad range of judicial discretion in sentencing, some possible implications for the effectiveness of policy and policy change are also discussed.