This paper investigates how the drug user has been conceptualized in Danish legislation since 1969. Whereas previous research on the Danish drug legislation has focused on the political shift from a welfare perspective to a neo-liberal one, this paper will look at how the different legislations conceptualized the drug users. In addition I will analyze the forthcoming amendment to the Administration of Justice act, which will make it possible for the police to use ‘agent provocateurs’ in drug cases on the internet or where the initial communication has started on the internet.
Through an analysis of the legislation, reports and government white papers, I will connect these legislative shifts to three conceptualizations of the user:
1) user as victim, 2) user as consumer and 3) user as potential dealer.
Using David Matzas (1969) concept of signification, I will argue that these conceptualizations constituted a shift towards a focus on risk, proactive policing and control in Danish drug policy.