Policy pointers

Drug Abuse

What are the Options? Pricing and Taxation Policy Reforms to Redress Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms in Australia

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

This Australian report presents a review of pricing and taxation policy levers that have been considered and/or implemented nationally and internationally in an attempt to redress excessive alcohol consumption and related harms

Drug AbusePosted: 2012-01-24

Intensive Judicial Supervision and Drug Court Outcomes

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

A 16-page Australian report assessing the evidence of a trial of whether intensively supervising drug court participants in the early phases reduces early-phase substance use and sanctioning rates

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2011-12-19

The Challenge of Violent Drug-Trafficking Organizations

Rand Corporation

In an effort to clarify the scope and details of the challenges posed by VDTOs, a Rand team conducted a Delphi expert elicitation exercise, the results of which offer an assessment of the contemporary security situation in Mexico through the lens of existing Rand research on related issues. 109 pages

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-11-14

Drugs in Australia 2010: Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs

AIHW

This 175-page Australian report provides a comprehensive summary of Australians' consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and use of treatment services, drawing on the latest statistics from major national collections. It also includes information about drug-related health issues, and drugs in the context of crime and law enforcement

Drug AbusePosted: 2011-11-11

Narcoterrorism and the Long Reach of U.S. Law Enforcement

Brookings

This US House testimony discusses the relationship between drug trade and criminal and belligerent groups in Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia and West Africa

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2011-10-17

Drug Policy in Portugal: The Benefits of Decriminalizing Drug Use

Open Society Foundations

This 52-page US report describes the process, context, ideas, and values that enabled Portugal to make the transition to a public health response to drug use and possession

Drug AbusePosted: 2011-10-13

Mexico’s Battle Against Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking

Brookings

This 54-page US monograph explores the effectiveness of the security and law enforcement and socio-economic approaches adopted in Mexico over the past several years to combat the drug trafficking organizations. It also analyzes the evolution of organized crime in Mexico, including in reaction to anti-crime actions taken by the Mexican government

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-09-27

The Criminals South of the Border: Lessons from Mexico

SSI

A US op-ed providing an overview of gang criminality in Mexico

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-08-23

2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report

AIHW

A 323-page Australian report on national drug usage and attitudes

Drug AbusePosted: 2011-07-27

Needle and Syringe Program; Treatment Service Users (TSU) Project: Phase Two

Department of Health and Ageing - Australia

This project implemented consumer participation demonstration projects in a variety of drug treatment settings in Australia

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2011-06-28

The Transatlantic Cocaine Market

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

This 66-page report is about the biggest of the new cocaine flows: the trafficking of cocaine to meet growing European demand

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2011-06-22

The Latin American Drug Trade: Scope, Dimensions, Impact, and Response

Rand Corporation

A 112-page US monograph examining the Latin American drug trade and possible US counternarcotics responses

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2011-06-20

Alcohol and Assault on Friday and Saturday Nights: Findings from the DUMA Program

AIC

This 7-page Australian report examines the prevalence and nature of alcohol consumption by a sample of violent offenders detained by the police during times consistent with those targeted through Operation Unite

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-05-10

The Influence of Personal, Family, and School Factors on Early Adolescent Substance Use

Rand Corporation

This US study of middle school students in Southern California found that racial and ethnic variations in substance use among young adolescents are influenced by individual, family and school factors

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2011-04-12

Afghanistan's Drug Career: Evolution from a War Economy to a Drug Economy

SWP

A 32-page German research paper looks into the beginnings and the evolution of drug production in Afghanistan during decades-long war

Drug Abuse, Economic PolicyPosted: 2011-04-07

Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2010

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)

This 160-page report highlights the International Narcotics Control Board's concerns about issues such as designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids and precursor chemicals and also presents regional developments and recommendations for governments

Drug Abuse, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2011-03-10

The Drug War in Mexico: Confronting a Shared Threat

CFR

This 35-page US report analyzes the drug war in Mexico, explores Mexico’s capacities and limitations, examines the factors that have undermined effective state performance, assesses the prospects for U.S. support to strengthen critical state institutions, and offers recommendations for reducing the potential of state failure

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2011-03-09

Alcohol and Student Performance: Estimating the Effect of Legal Access

IZA

This 32-page discussion paper considers the effect of legal access to alcohol on academic performance

Drug Abuse, EducationPosted: 2011-03-08

The Influence of Family and Friends on Young People's Drinking

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The 8-page summary of a UK report examining family and friendship influences on young people's drinking habits

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2011-02-16

Substance Use Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

AIHW

This 70-page Australian report provides an overview of the prevalence of substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as the use of services for substance abuse

Indigenous Affairs, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-02-14

Mephedrone Use Among Regular Ecstasy Consumers in Australia

National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre - Australia

This 7-page Australian bulletin finds that use of mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant, has increased in recent years, particularly in the UK, Europe and Australia

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2011-02-04

Felipe Calderón’s War: It’s Time for a Serious Debate

Brookings

A US commentary on the Mexican government's attempts to weaken the drug cartels

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2011-01-04

Issues for the Safety and Wellbeing of Children in Families With Multiple and Complex problems: The co-occurrence of domestic violence, Parental Substance Misuse, and Mental Health Problems

NCPC

This 24-page Australian paper investigates the separate impacts of parental substance misuse, domestic violence and parental mental health problems. It presents evidence regarding the extent to which these problems co-occur and a discussion of the wider context of exclusion and disadvantage, its causes and its consequences

Families, Children & Youth, Drug AbusePosted: 2010-12-22

Legally Coerced Treatment for Drug Using Offenders: Ethical and Policy Issues

NSW Bureau of Crime

This 12-page Australian bulletin discusses the policy and ethical implications raised by legally coercing drug offenders into drug treatment in the community and providing compulsory treatment within the prison system

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2010-12-21

Drug-misusing Offenders: Results from the 2009 Cohort for England and Wales

Home Office - UK

This 29-page report details statistics relating to criminal offences by drug users

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2010-12-21

An Analysis of Alcohol and Psycho-stimulant Use from the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

This 3-page Australian brief finds that levels of psycho-stimulant (e.g. amphetamine or cocaine) use are comparatively low amongst the general population of drinkers

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2010-10-18

Perceptions of the Social Harms Associated with Khat Use

Home Office UK

This 22-page UK report describes the findings from a study exploring the perceived social harms associated with the use of khat

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2010-10-11

Building on Our Strengths

CCSA

This 139-page Canadian volume is designed to support the efforts of school/board staff, as well as other public health or addictions prevention professionals working in and with school-based substance abuse prevention and health promotion teams

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2010-08-19

Drugs and Disordered Choices

An Australian essay on the nature of drug-taking

Drug AbusePosted: 2010-08-16

An Evaluation of the Compulsory Drug Treatment Program

Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

A 68-page Australian report evaluating a compulsory drug treatment programme that consists of a five-stage post-sentencing programme

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2010-08-15

Finding the Right Help: Pathways for Culturally Diverse Clients with Cannabis Use and Mental Health Issues

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre, National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centr

This qualitative Australian study examines the experiences of those with co-existing issues engaging with mental health or alcohol and other drug services

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2010-07-30

The Impact of Drugs on Different Minority Groups: Ethnicity and Drug Treatment

UKDPC

A 50-page UK report on the impact of illicit drugs on a number of diverse minority groups: ethnic minority groups; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and disabled people

Drug AbusePosted: 2010-07-29

Drug Control

GAO

A 23-page US House testimony on the effectiveness of U.S.-funded international counternarcotics-related programs

Drug AbusePosted: 2010-07-21

Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

DrugInfo Clearinghouse

This 24-page Australian paper aims to identify and evaluate primary prevention programs and initiatives aimed at preventing alcohol and other drug harms in culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Drug Abuse, Indigenous AffairsPosted: 2010-07-18

Adolescent Drug Use and the Deterrent Effect of School-Imposed Penalties

IZA

This 20-page discussion paper evaluates the effect of school-imposed penalties for drug use on a student's consumption of marijuana

Drug Abuse, EducationPosted: 2010-07-18

Altered State? Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets

Rand Corporation

This 82-page US monograph assesses how marijuana legalization in California could influence marijuana consumption and public budgets

Drug AbusePosted: 2010-07-14

Coming Clean: Combating Drug Misuse in Prisons

Policy Exchange

This 44-page UK report contends that there are a series of fundamental problems with the way issues relating to drug abuse in prisons are approached

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2010-06-15

Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders

CCSA

This report examines the latest evidence on the complex interconnection between addiction and mental illness

Health, Drug AbusePosted: 2010-04-15

The Role of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Road Deaths and Serious Injuries

DrugInfo Clearinghouse

This 23-page Australian paper examines the impact of drug use on road deaths and injuries and outlines a number of strategies that are currently being implemented to minimise and reduce the number of drivers who consume drugs.

Drug Abuse, Public Safety & Disaster MitigationPosted: 2010-04-13

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Reclaiming Futures

Urban Institute

A US report outlining the costs and benefits of the Reclaiming Futures initiative, a community-based demonstration project to combat juvenile drug use and delinquency

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2010-04-08

Drug Use in New Zealand: Key Results of the 2007/08 New Zealand Alcohol and Drug Use Survey

Ministry of Health - New Zealand

This 233-page report presents the key findings about drug use and drug-related harm among New Zealand adults, from the 2007/08 New Zealand Alcohol and Drug Use Survey

Drug Abuse, Social PolicyPosted: 2010-02-12

Narco-Jihad: Drug Trafficking and Security in Afghanistan and Pakistan

NBR

This 68-page US study explores the interface of Islamic militancy with opium poppy cultivation and the drug trade in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and draws implications for U.S. national security

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Drug AbusePosted: 2010-01-14

Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis

CCSA

An 8-page Canadian report on the respiratory effects of cannabis smoking

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2009-12-22

Smoking Habits: Like Father, Like Son, Like Mother, Like Daughter

CESifo

This 47-page working paper investigates whether the impact of parental smoking habits on their children’s smoking decisions is a causal one

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-12-17

The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study: Final Outcomes Report

Home Office - UK

This 58-page report summarises follow-up data from the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study a longitudinal study that explores the outcomes of drug treatment in England

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-12-14

Supporting the Supporters: Families of Drug Misusers

UK Drug Policy Commission

This 8-page UK study reveals the ‘hidden burden’ of families caring for relatives with drug problems

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2009-12-03

Annual Report 2009: The State of the Drugs Problem in Europe

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions

This 104-page annual report deals with the drugs situation in Europe

Drug Abuse, European UnionPosted: 2009-11-10

The Invisible Tide: Towards an International Strategy to Deal with Drug Trafficking Through West Africa

IPI

This 44-page paper explains what the risks of West African drug trafficking are, and recommends steps that policymakers in national capitals and multilateral institutions might take to address them in the next three to five years

Drug Abuse, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-31

Evaluating the Cost-effectiveness of Needle and Syringe Programs in Australia 2009

Dept. of Health and Ageing

This 205-page Australian report considers the population benefits, value and cost-effectiveness of needle and syringe programs

Health, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-10-28

U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Brookings

A US House testimony on how narcotics production influences the security, political, and economic developments in Afghanistan. It also examines the effectiveness of policies to mitigate these effects

Drug Abuse, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-27

Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2007-08

AIHW

A 121-page report on the 154,000 alcohol and other drug treatment episodes provided in Australia during 2007-8

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2009-10-22

Addiction, Crime and Insurgency: The Transnational Threat of Afghan Opium

UNODC

This 152-page report shows the devastating consequences that the 900 tons of opium and 375 tons of heroin that are trafficked from Afghanistan every year have on the health and security of countries along the Balkan and Eurasian drug routes, of countries in Europe, of China, India and the Russian Federation

Drug Abuse, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-22

Between Hypocrisy and Narcoterrorism in Latin America

Brookings

A US article on the foreign policy fallout from the dispute over the use of Colombian military bases by the U.S. armed forces

Foreign Policy, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-09-20

How Opium Profits the Taliban

USIP

This 44-page US report examines who are the main beneficiaries of the opium trade, how traffickers influence the Taliban insurgency as well as the politics of the region, and considers the extent to which narcotics are changing the nature of the insurgency itself

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-09-05

Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis: Cannabis Use and Driving

CCSA

An 8-page Canadian report on the effects of cannabis on driving

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-08-28

How Opium Profits the Taliban

USIP

This 44-page US report examines who are the main beneficiaries of the opium trade in Afghanistan, how traffickers influence the Taliban insurgency as well as the politics of the region, and considers the extent to which narcotics are changing the nature of the insurgency itself

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-08-09

Extending Our Reach: A Comprehensive Approach to Tackling Serious Organised Crime

UK Cabinet Office

This 87-page UK strategy sets out the reforms the UK Government will make to ensure that the government, law enforcement agencies, businesses and the public have the necessary tools to reduce the harm caused by organised crime

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-08-02

Cannabis Use and Mental Health Problems

CentER

A 39-page Dutch discussion paper investigating whether cannabis use leads to worse mental health

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2009-08-02

Bridges and Barriers: Addressing Indigenous Incarceration and Health

National Indigenous Alcohol and Drug Committee, Australian National Council on Drugs

This 18-page Australian report argues that the strong links between substance misuse and Indigenous incarceration highlight an urgent need for government to address this disturbing problem

Indigenous Affairs, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-07-24

Supervised Injection Site Evaluative Research

Site Evaluative Research

The 11-page report of a Canadian form held to discuss issues relevant to the use of supervised injection sites for drug addicts

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-07-16

Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis: Maternal Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

This 8-page Canadian report reviews the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on offspring birth outcomes, neurocognitive development, behaviour and mental health

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2009-07-16

Addressing Drugs and Conflicts in Myanmar: Who Will Support Alternative Development?

SIPRI

An 8-page Swedish policy brief proposing that China could play the key role in sustaining the reduction in illicit narcotics cultivation in Myanmar by qualitatively upgrading its counter-narcotics assistance and tailoring it towards alternative development

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-06-24

Mexico’s Narco-Insurgency and U.S. Counterdrug Policy

SSI

In this 67-page study, the author argues that the Merida Initiative, a U.S. multiyear counterdrug program designed to help the Mexican Government fight the drug cartels, may not be the optimal solution

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-06-05

National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data collection: 2008 report

AIHW

This 28-page Australian report presents data on the 41,000 clients accessing pharmacotherapy for the treatment of opioid addiction, the 1,400 prescribers participating in the delivery of pharmacotherapy treatment, and quantitative information about the prescribing sector

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2009-05-20

Women, Drug Use and Crime: Findings from the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia Program

AIC

This 59-page Australian report finds differences in drug use between male and female detainees and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous female detainees, highlighting different patterns of drug usage and dependencies and of associated most serious offences leading to arrest

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-05-13

The Violent Drug Market in Mexico

Brookings Institution

This 30-page US paper examines the growing threat to civil society in Mexico posed by drug-related violence, the spillover of crime into the United States, how the situation compares to similar struggles in Colombia and offers recommendations for a new strategy in the region

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-03-19

A report on Global Illicit Drugs Markets 1998-2007

Rand Corporation, Trimbos Instituut, EC

This study of the global illicit drugs market was carried out to provide a dispassionate overview of the true nature and extent of the problem today, and to assist policy makers at national and regional levels to deal with it

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-03-19

Pharmaceutical Misuse: Issues and Perspectives

DrugInfo Clearinghouse

This 3-page summary of an Australian conference outlines the prescribed and over-the-counter medicines that have the potential to be misused

Drug AbusePosted: 2009-03-12

Helping Mexico Help Itself

CFR

This US brief examines Mexico's explosion in drug-related crime

Crime, Law & Order, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-02-28

Annual Report 2008

International Narcotics Control Board

The 150-page annual report of the INCB, analyzing the global narcotics situation

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-02-24

Human Rights Abuses in the Name of Drug Treatment: Reports from the Field

OSI

A 5-page US factsheet detailing the range of abuses practised in the name of drug dependence treatment, and suggest the need for reform on grounds of health and human rights

Human Rights, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-02-23

MDMA ('ecstasy') Review

Home Office - UK

A 49-page UK review of MDMA ('ecstasy'), its harms and classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-02-13

Enforcing Law on Tobacco Sales to Minors: Getting the Question and Action Right

New South Wales Public Health Bulletin

This 4-page Australian paper examines effectiveness of regulation and law enforcement pertaining to tobacco promotion, sale and public use

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2009-02-13

Impact of Alcohol Consumption On Young People: A Systematic Review of Published Reviews

DCSF

A 69-page UK literature review of the effects of alcohol consumption on children and young people

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2009-02-04

U.S. and Colombia: A Growing Military Intervention?

CIS - MIT

A 6-page US essay on US-Colombian relations

Foreign Policy, Drug AbusePosted: 2009-01-23

Working Towards Recovery: Getting Problem Drug Users Into Jobs

UK Drug Policy Commission

This 60-page UK report considers the range of barriers to work faced by problem drug users and looks closely at how they can be overcome.

Drug Abuse, Employment, Industrial Relations & Training Posted: 2009-01-20

Co-occurrence of Substance Use Behaviors in Youth

NCJRS

This 8-page US Bulletin analyzes the prevalence and overlap of substance-related behaviors among youth, with comparisons by age group, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2008-12-24

Climbing the Drug Staircase: A Bayesian Analysis of the Initiation of Hard Drug Use

IZA

This 41-page discussion paper uses a Bayesian estimation and predictive framework to analyze the effects and relative importance of previous cannabis use, proneness and accessibility factors on hard drug initiation and to explore potential policy implications, using data from a unique recent survey of young adults in Norway

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-12-18

2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Detailed Findings

AIHW

This 145-page Australian report provides detailed information on drug use prevalence, drug-related behaviours and incidents, and support for drug-related policy and legislation.

Drug Abuse, HealthPosted: 2008-12-18

The Precursor Chemical Trade Environment in Oceania

Australian Institute of Criminology

This 125-page Australian report describes the manufacture and use of, and trade in, chemicals that can be used to produce illicit drugs - precursor chemicals - in Oceania; explores border management and control of precursor chemicals; and analyses legislation and regional capacity to respond.

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2008-12-04

A Systems Approach to Substance Use in Canada

National Treatment Strategy Working Group

This 55-page Canadian Treatment Strategy document provides direction and recommendations to strengthen the services and supports offered to Canadians with substance use problems.

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-11-28

Mexico's Drug War

CFR

A US backgrounder on Mexico's worsening drug problem

Drug Abuse, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2008-11-25

2008 Annual report: The State of the Drugs Problem in Europe

EMCDDA

A 98-page annual report on the drugs phenomenon in Europe

Drug Abuse, European UnionPosted: 2008-11-10

National and Regional Estimates of the Prevalence of Opiate Use and/or Crack Cocaine Use 2006/07

Home Office - UK

This 4-page report summarizes the results of a three year study to establish the prevalence of problematic use of opiates and crack cocaine in the UK

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-11-06

Police Drug Diversion: A Study of Criminal Offending Outcomes

AIC

This 104-page Australian report looks at the structure and effectiveness of drug diversion programmes run by policing agencies in Australia

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2008-10-30

Improving Outcomes for Children Living in Families with Parental Substance Abuse

AIFS

This 16-page Australian paper provides an overview of the research literature on the outcomes of children living in families with parental substance abuse

Drug Abuse, Families, Children & YouthPosted: 2008-09-23

Focus on Gender

Health Canada

This Canadian report presents an analysis of alcohol and illicit drug use with respect to gender

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-09-05

Effective Dissemination: A Systematic Review of Implementation Strategies for the AOD Field

NCETA

A 168-page Australian report identifying key factors underlying successful dissemination strategies in the field of alcohol and other drugs

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-09-02

Tackling Drug Markets and Distribution Networks in the UK

UKDPC

A 90-page review of recent literature relevant to the UK drugs market

Drug Abuse, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2008-08-14

Harm Reduction: What's In a Name?

CCSA

This 10-page Canadian paper examines the concept of "harm reduction" in the context of drug abuse

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-07-31

Identifying Cost-Effective Interventions to Reduce the Burden of Harm Associated with Alcohol Misuse in Australia

AERF

A 91-page Australian study providing a comprehensive analysis of the cost-effectiveness of different interventions to reduce the harm of alcohol misuse

Drug AbusePosted: 2008-07-31