CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Adasiunaite, Egle |
|---|---|
| Title | The Language of Lithuanian Drug Policy: Is It The Problem? |
| Summary | By drawing on Carol Bacchi’s poststructuralist approach to policy analysis, this thesis discloses how the ‘issue of drugs’ has been produced in Lithuanian drug policy through the specific use of language. In order to do so, a thematic analysis of five national drug strategies was carried out, generating a detailed depiction of the various ways drugs and people using them have been discursively constructed as a ‘problem’ over time. By dissecting values and presuppositions inherent in these constructions, the thesis identifies their potential effects on actual policy responses. Of particular significance is the unfolding shift from the ‘drug problem’ as an addiction to problematic use, which shows that individuals are increasingly perceived as rational and responsible for their own health. Although appealing and reflective of the ongoing debates on drug policy at the European level and globally, this shift is still inconsistent. In fact, it is coupled with a morally-charged representation of the issue, which is highly prevalent throughout Lithuanian drug policy documents. This suggests that policy environment in Lithuania is rather unfavorable to more lenient drug policy approaches. Furthermore, morally-weighted concepts invoked when referring to ‘vulnerable’ societal groups may result in some undesirable policy effects by reinforcing stigma and marginalization. |
| Supervisor | Svensson Sara |
| Department | School of Public Policy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/adasiunaite_egle.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University