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The Canadian Temperance Movement: Contemporary Parallels*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2014

Anton R.F. Schweighofer
Anton R.F. Schweighofer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University
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Abstract

The similarities between the Canadian temperance movement and the contemporary war on drugs are examined. The similarities in rhetorical, educational, social and political tactics suggest that contemporary anti-drug policy relies on techniques Canadians rejected sixty years ago when they rejected alcohol prohibition. A rethinking of contemporary drug policy is therefore in order.

Résumé

L'auteur analyse les similitudes entre le mouvement pour la tempérance qui s'est manifesté au début du siècle et la lutte plus récente contre les drogues au Canada. Les ressemblances observables au niveau des stratégies rhétoriques, éducationnelles, sociales et politiques donnent à penser que la politique actuelle de lutte contre la consommation des drogues s'appuie sur des techniques que les Canadiens ont désavouées, il y a soixante ans, en refusant la prohibition de l'alcool. Un réexamen de la politique actuelle relativement aux drogues paraît, en conséquence, s'imposer.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Law and Society / La Revue Canadienne Droit et Société , Volume 3 , 1988 , pp. 175 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Law and Society Association 1988

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References

Notes

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