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Youth Use, Mortality and Criminalization: A Study of Sweden’s 1988 Criminalization of Drug Consumption

Aaröe, Wilhelm LU (2025) EOSK12 20251
Department of Economic History
Abstract
This study examines the 1988 criminalization of personal drug use in Sweden by analyzing
the developments in youth drug use between 1971 and 2024 and drug-related mortality
between 1969 and 2017. Using a descriptive time-series approach and indexed graphs, it
explores how these two indicators developed over time and whether their trajectories reflect
the policy’s stated aim of reducing both use and harm. The analysis is informed by Foucault’s
(2009) theory of governmentality and critical literature on Swedish drug policy. The results
show that while youth drug use declined from 1971 to 2024 it increased since 1988. Drug-
related mortality increased substantially from 1969 to 2017, especially after 1997. These
developments raise... (More)
This study examines the 1988 criminalization of personal drug use in Sweden by analyzing
the developments in youth drug use between 1971 and 2024 and drug-related mortality
between 1969 and 2017. Using a descriptive time-series approach and indexed graphs, it
explores how these two indicators developed over time and whether their trajectories reflect
the policy’s stated aim of reducing both use and harm. The analysis is informed by Foucault’s
(2009) theory of governmentality and critical literature on Swedish drug policy. The results
show that while youth drug use declined from 1971 to 2024 it increased since 1988. Drug-
related mortality increased substantially from 1969 to 2017, especially after 1997. These
developments raise questions about how the policy is justified and maintained, suggesting that
its role may be more symbolic than driven by outcome. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Aaröe, Wilhelm LU
supervisor
organization
course
EOSK12 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Drug policy, criminalization, drug use, drug-related mortality, governmentality, Sweden
language
English
id
9203045
date added to LUP
2025-08-18 10:51:08
date last changed
2025-08-18 10:51:08
@misc{9203045,
  abstract     = {{This study examines the 1988 criminalization of personal drug use in Sweden by analyzing
the developments in youth drug use between 1971 and 2024 and drug-related mortality
between 1969 and 2017. Using a descriptive time-series approach and indexed graphs, it
explores how these two indicators developed over time and whether their trajectories reflect
the policy’s stated aim of reducing both use and harm. The analysis is informed by Foucault’s
(2009) theory of governmentality and critical literature on Swedish drug policy. The results
show that while youth drug use declined from 1971 to 2024 it increased since 1988. Drug-
related mortality increased substantially from 1969 to 2017, especially after 1997. These
developments raise questions about how the policy is justified and maintained, suggesting that
its role may be more symbolic than driven by outcome.}},
  author       = {{Aaröe, Wilhelm}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Youth Use, Mortality and Criminalization: A Study of Sweden’s 1988 Criminalization of Drug Consumption}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}