Polycentricity and Collaborative Governance: Taiwanese Drug Prevention Policies and the Role of Policemen

Abstract

A paradigm shift from a centralized authority system to a polycentric authority network has occurred in multiple areas of Drug Prevention due to the greater prevalence of collaborative governance. Drug policy is an example of a particularly contentious and polarized area in which governability is being critically examined. The Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act illustrates our government's strong tendency to enhance its governability. Sound governance of drug control usually involves a well design safety net and a wide range of capable actors and stakeholders that include policemen, public servants, practitioners, and other. Among these actors, the roles of policemen have been changed due to the fragmentation of authority and the reframing of the drug control structure. In this study, focus group and in-depth interviews will be applied to discuss the potential problems and issues, followed by two survey researches implemented for members of the Drug Abuse Prevention Center and Policemen of Precincts. From the perspective of Polycentricity and Collaborative Governance, the study found it plays more important role for the members of the Drug Abuse Prevention Center and Policemen of Precincts due to the inadequacy of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.