TY - JOUR
T1 - Empirical Science Meets Moral Panic
T2 - An Analysis of the Politics of Needle Exchange
AU - Buchanan, David
AU - Shaw, Susan
AU - Ford, Amy
AU - Singer, Merrill
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - The paper presents an analysis of the policy advocacy strategies used by both proponents and opponents of needle exchange programs in the US, drawing on the analytic framework developed by Stone. Based on a case study of the politics of needle exchange in Massachusetts, we argue that proponents of needle exchange have relied almost exclusively on empirical scientific arguments to build their case, while opponents have generally resorted to normative ethical arguments. Since the frames of argument are unrelated, the two sides talk past one another, bypassing progress towards resolution or consensus. By failing to address the ethical concerns raised by opponents, public health advocates of needle exchange are losing the larger public debate. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for how public health advocates should respond to the normative dimensions of this public policy issue.
AB - The paper presents an analysis of the policy advocacy strategies used by both proponents and opponents of needle exchange programs in the US, drawing on the analytic framework developed by Stone. Based on a case study of the politics of needle exchange in Massachusetts, we argue that proponents of needle exchange have relied almost exclusively on empirical scientific arguments to build their case, while opponents have generally resorted to normative ethical arguments. Since the frames of argument are unrelated, the two sides talk past one another, bypassing progress towards resolution or consensus. By failing to address the ethical concerns raised by opponents, public health advocates of needle exchange are losing the larger public debate. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for how public health advocates should respond to the normative dimensions of this public policy issue.
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U2 - 10.2307/3343386
DO - 10.2307/3343386
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15015873
AN - SCOPUS:1142274241
SN - 0197-5897
VL - 24
SP - 427
EP - 444
JO - Journal of Public Health Policy
JF - Journal of Public Health Policy
IS - 3-4
ER -