More Harm Than Good

In More Harm Than Good, Carter, Boyd and MacPherson take a critical look at the current state of Canadian drug policy and raise key questions about the effects of Canada’s increasing involvement in and commitment to the “war on drugs.” A primer on Canadian drug policy, the analysis in More Harm Than Good is shaped by critical sociology and feminist perspectives on drugs and incorporates insights not only from individuals who are on the front lines of drug policy in Canada — treatment and service workers — but also from those who live with the consequences of that policy on a daily basis — people who use criminalized drugs. Finally, the authors propose realistic alternatives to today’s failed policy approach.

“Your book really expanded thinking and understanding and had a big influence on students critical and reflective thought. Readings sparked rich conversations about their own hopes and wishes for the field, broader social and political responses and the impact on youth and families affected by substances.” - Stephanie McCune, University of Victoria


Please note: an error occurred with the printing of this book, and one of the sidebars was not printed. It is available to download here. We sincerely apologize for this oversight.

Susan Boyd is Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Human and Social Development at the University of Victoria. She is the author of a number of articles and books, including: Mothers and Illicit Drugs: Transcending the myths; From Witches to Crack Moms: Women drug law, and policy; Hooked: Drug war films in Britain, Canada, and the U.S.; and co-author of Raise Shit!: Social action saving lives and Killer Weed: Marijuana grow-ops, media, and justice. She also works with national and community organizations that advocate for drug policy reform and harm reduction initiatives.

Connie Carter, Ph.D. is former senior policy analyst at the Canadian Drug Policy, and currently, research officer, at BC Representative for Children and Youth. She is a graduate of the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria and she has held a number of scholarships including the Joseph Armand Bombardier Ph.D. Fellowship (2006-2009) from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. With Dr. Susan Boyd, she is co-author of Killer Weed: Marijuana grow ops, media discourse, regulation and justice.

Donald MacPherson is currently the Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to improve Canada’s approach to the use of psychoactive substances. The Coalition is a partner project with the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addictions in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University where Donald has an Adjunct Faculty appointment. Formerly he was North America’s first Drug Policy Coordinator at the City of Vancouver where he worked for 22 years. He is the author of Vancouver’s groundbreaking “Four Pillars Drug Strategy,” which called for new approaches to drug-related problems based on public health and human rights principles. In 2007 he received the Kaiser Foundation National Award of Excellence in Public Policy in Canada.