Biological policies
What? Who? How? Effective?
Antabuse Violent offenders, alcohol- A form of aversion therapy to treat alcoholism and/or Yes – starts working actively after 1
(Drug related behaviour alcohol abuse. It works by preventing the body from (nausea, vomiting, sweating, heada
(i.e. abuse and/or dependence) breaking down alcohol immediately causing Research has shown that long-term
therapy)
very unpleasant ‘hangover’ symptoms even if alcohol is very effective in helping people s
is consumed in small quantities. drinking, producing abstinence rate
No – only 50% success rate
More widely used in Europe than USA. No – not a cure. Treats symptoms b
problem.
No - Can stop taking the drug and b
again.
Stilbester Sex offenders A form of ‘chemical castration’ that has been widely Used in UK and USA
ol used in prison to treat male sex offenders. Yes - Trialled in Sweden, Denmark a
Contains the female hormone that suppresses with evidence from Scandinavia su
(Drug
testosterone as a way of reducing men’s sex drive. re-offending rates from 40 percent
therapy) Nine states in the USA have passed legislation since No – Ethics: Unpleasant side-effects
1996 and in most cases, a repeat offender’s eligibility female breast development
for probation linked to acceptance of this hormonal
therapy.
Sedatives/ Violent offenders Calming
Started sedative – reduces panic
in 1944 (previously usedand anxiety, taken Yes – helps anxiety, induces sleep
a female
tranquiliser orally
contraceptive)
s: Valium, No - Ethics: zombie-life side effects –
Librium, Reduces hostility, anxiety, agitation and hyperactivity ‘keeping trouble-makers quiet’
Largactil
(Drug No – Symptoms not cause
therapy)
, Biological policies
What? Who? How? Effective?
Methadone (Drug Heroin addiction To treat addicts as a long-term alternative to heroin Yes - Methadone treatment is more like
therapy) successful if it is part of a comprehensi
Prevent withdrawal symptoms. program, which includes a combination
counselling, alternative therapies and t
Administered under close supervision and monitoring of a positive support network of peers.
by medical professionals. They are administered orally Yes - Less likelihood of overdose, HIV, h
or sublingually (i.e., under the tongue) in specified infections, collapsed veins and is cheap
doses, and their effects differ from those of heroin and crime.
other abused opioids No - Methadone maintenance may not
everyone.
No - Treats symptoms not cause.
Tear gas Public order Not a ‘gas’ but a substance that binds and reacts Yes – effective to disperse crowd. It wo
offences: Rioters, to moisture. If a victim can escape the tear gas uncomfortable/distressing sensations e
(Chemical) crowd control, and get to open air, the symptoms usually wear breathing difficulties and disorientatio
looters off within one hour, though burning eyes and skin, No – lung damage or even death. Repo
dizziness, and disorientation can last much longer. demonstrations in Egypt in 2013 state
died of asphyxiation after a tear gas ca
into the vehicle carrying them.
Surgical Sex offenders No - Ethics
No - Those subjected to castration ma
castration Denmark and USA sexual function.
(Surgery) No - Furthermore, testosterone boostin
available that can counteract the effec
What? Who? How? Effective?
Antabuse Violent offenders, alcohol- A form of aversion therapy to treat alcoholism and/or Yes – starts working actively after 1
(Drug related behaviour alcohol abuse. It works by preventing the body from (nausea, vomiting, sweating, heada
(i.e. abuse and/or dependence) breaking down alcohol immediately causing Research has shown that long-term
therapy)
very unpleasant ‘hangover’ symptoms even if alcohol is very effective in helping people s
is consumed in small quantities. drinking, producing abstinence rate
No – only 50% success rate
More widely used in Europe than USA. No – not a cure. Treats symptoms b
problem.
No - Can stop taking the drug and b
again.
Stilbester Sex offenders A form of ‘chemical castration’ that has been widely Used in UK and USA
ol used in prison to treat male sex offenders. Yes - Trialled in Sweden, Denmark a
Contains the female hormone that suppresses with evidence from Scandinavia su
(Drug
testosterone as a way of reducing men’s sex drive. re-offending rates from 40 percent
therapy) Nine states in the USA have passed legislation since No – Ethics: Unpleasant side-effects
1996 and in most cases, a repeat offender’s eligibility female breast development
for probation linked to acceptance of this hormonal
therapy.
Sedatives/ Violent offenders Calming
Started sedative – reduces panic
in 1944 (previously usedand anxiety, taken Yes – helps anxiety, induces sleep
a female
tranquiliser orally
contraceptive)
s: Valium, No - Ethics: zombie-life side effects –
Librium, Reduces hostility, anxiety, agitation and hyperactivity ‘keeping trouble-makers quiet’
Largactil
(Drug No – Symptoms not cause
therapy)
, Biological policies
What? Who? How? Effective?
Methadone (Drug Heroin addiction To treat addicts as a long-term alternative to heroin Yes - Methadone treatment is more like
therapy) successful if it is part of a comprehensi
Prevent withdrawal symptoms. program, which includes a combination
counselling, alternative therapies and t
Administered under close supervision and monitoring of a positive support network of peers.
by medical professionals. They are administered orally Yes - Less likelihood of overdose, HIV, h
or sublingually (i.e., under the tongue) in specified infections, collapsed veins and is cheap
doses, and their effects differ from those of heroin and crime.
other abused opioids No - Methadone maintenance may not
everyone.
No - Treats symptoms not cause.
Tear gas Public order Not a ‘gas’ but a substance that binds and reacts Yes – effective to disperse crowd. It wo
offences: Rioters, to moisture. If a victim can escape the tear gas uncomfortable/distressing sensations e
(Chemical) crowd control, and get to open air, the symptoms usually wear breathing difficulties and disorientatio
looters off within one hour, though burning eyes and skin, No – lung damage or even death. Repo
dizziness, and disorientation can last much longer. demonstrations in Egypt in 2013 state
died of asphyxiation after a tear gas ca
into the vehicle carrying them.
Surgical Sex offenders No - Ethics
No - Those subjected to castration ma
castration Denmark and USA sexual function.
(Surgery) No - Furthermore, testosterone boostin
available that can counteract the effec
