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Sevigny EL, Greathouse J, Medhin DN. Health, safety, and socioeconomic impacts of cannabis liberalization laws: An evidence and gap map. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2023; 19:e1362. [PMID: 37915420 PMCID: PMC10616541 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Globally, cannabis laws and regulations are rapidly changing. Countries are increasingly permitting access to cannabis under various decriminalization, medicalization, and legalization laws. With strong economic, public health, and social justice incentives driving these domestic cannabis policy reforms, liberalization trends are bound to continue. However, despite a large and growing body of interdisciplinary research addressing the policy-relevant health, safety, and socioeconomic consequences of cannabis liberalization, there is a lack of robust primary and systematic research that comprehensively investigates the consequences of these reforms. Objectives This evidence and gap map (EGM) summarizes the empirical evidence on cannabis liberalization policies. Primary objectives were to develop a conceptual framework linking cannabis liberalization policies to relevant outcomes, descriptively summarize the empirical evidence, and identify areas of evidence concentration and gaps. Search Methods We comprehensively searched for eligible English-language empirical studies published across 23 academic databases and 11 gray literature sources through August 2020. Additions to the pool of potentially eligible studies from supplemental sources were made through November 2020. Selection Criteria The conceptual framework for this EGM draws upon a legal epidemiological perspective highlighting the causal effects of law and policy on population-level outcomes. Eligible interventions include policies that create or expand access to a legal or decriminalized supply of cannabis: comprehensive medical cannabis laws (MCLs), limited medical cannabidiol laws (CBDLs), recreational cannabis laws (RCLs), industrial hemp laws (IHLs), and decriminalization of cultivations laws (DCLs). Eligible outcomes include intermediate responses (i.e., attitudes/behaviors and markets/environments) and longer-term consequences (health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes) of these laws. Data Collection and Analysis Both dual screening and dual data extraction were performed with third person deconfliction. Primary studies were appraised using the Maryland Scientific Methods Scale and systematic reviews were assessed using AMSTAR 2. Main Results The EGM includes 447 studies, comprising 438 primary studies and nine systematic reviews. Most research derives from the United States, with little research from other countries. By far, most cannabis liberalization research focuses on the effects of MCLs and RCLs. Studies targeting other laws-including CBDLs, IHLs, and DCLs-are relatively rare. Of the 113 distinct outcomes we documented, cannabis use was the single most frequently investigated. More than half these outcomes were addressed by three or fewer studies, highlighting substantial evidence gaps in the literature. The systematic evidence base is relatively small, comprising just seven completed reviews on cannabis use (3), opioid-related harms (3), and alcohol-related outcomes (1). Moreover, we have limited confidence in the reviews, as five were appraised as minimal quality and two as low quality. Authors’ Conclusions More primary and systematic research is needed to better understand the effects of cannabis liberalization laws on longer-term-and arguably more salient-health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes. Since most research concerns MCLs and RCLs, there is a critical need for research on the societal impacts of industrial hemp production, medical CBD products, and decriminalized cannabis cultivation. Future research should also prioritize understanding the heterogeneous effects of these laws given differences in specific provisions and implementation across jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L. Sevigny
- Department of Criminal Justice and CriminologyGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jared Greathouse
- Department of Criminal Justice and CriminologyGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Danye N. Medhin
- Department of Criminal Justice and CriminologyGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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Wang Q, Jiang T, Liu L, Zhang S, Kildunne A, Miao Z. Building a whole process policy framework promoting construction and demolition waste utilization in China. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2023; 41:914-923. [PMID: 36245415 PMCID: PMC10108335 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221126393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The generation of construction and demolition waste1 (CDW) in China has increased dramatically in recent decades due to the rapid urbanization. Yet there is a very limited utilization of this waste, meaning that there is an urgent need to address this issue in order to reduce the reliance on virgin materials and improve the lived environment in China. This problem contrasts with the EU experience where many member states already exceed an 80% utilization rate of CDW due to extensive policy measures. We argue that the supervision of CDW is an important and underestimated element in addressing this waste stream, and that China and other rapidly developing states can build on the EU experience to address this issue rapidly and efficiently. This paper took a comparative policy analytical approach to summarize advanced experiences promoting CDW utilization, highlighting 14 advanced policy measures. We then conducted a case study approach applied to a Chinese metropolitan city, Wuhan, to identify the key measures to promote CDW utilization in the local area by questionnaire. On this basis, we then proposed a whole process supervision framework for the six most important policy measures, to cover the whole process of the generation, transport and recycling of this waste. This approach provides a mode for policymakers to prioritize the most important policy measures to address CDW problem in China through a timely and data-driven process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaozhi Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental
Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tiancheng Jiang
- School of Resources and Environmental
Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Wuhan Municipal Engineering Design and
Research Institute Co., Ltd, Wuhan, China
| | - Shoucheng Zhang
- Wuhan Municipal Engineering Design and
Research Institute Co., Ltd, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Zuohua Miao
- School of Resources and Environmental
Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Leung J, Casswell S, Parker K, Huckle T, Romeo J, Graydon‐Guy T, Byron K, Callinan S, Chaiyasong S, Gordon R, Harker N, MacKintosh AM, Meier P, Paraje G, Parry CD, Pham C, Williams PP, Randerson S, Schelleman‐Offermans K, Sengee G, Torun P, van Dalen W. Effective alcohol policies and lifetime abstinence: An analysis of the International Alcohol Control policy index. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:704-713. [PMID: 36423899 PMCID: PMC10947057 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol abstinence remains common among adults globally, although low and middle-income countries are experiencing declines in abstention. The effect of alcohol policies on lifetime abstinence is poorly understood. The International Alcohol Control (IAC) policy index was developed to benchmark and monitor the uptake of effective alcohol policies and has shown strong associations with alcohol per capita consumption and drinking patterns. Uniquely, the index incorporates both policy 'stringency' and 'impact', reflecting policy implementation and enforcement, across effective policies. Here we assessed the association of the IAC policy index with lifetime abstinence in a diverse sample of jurisdictions. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between the IAC policy index score, and its components, and lifetime abstinence among adults (15+ years) in 13 high and middle-income jurisdictions. We examined the correlations for each component of the index and stringency and impact separately. RESULTS Overall, the total IAC policy index scores were positively correlated with lifetime abstinence (r = 0.76), as were both the stringency (r = 0.62) and impact (r = 0.82) scores. Marketing restrictions showed higher correlations with lifetime abstinence than other policy domains (r = 0.80), including restrictions on physical availability, pricing policies and drink-driving prevention. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that restricting alcohol marketing could be an important policy for the protection of alcohol abstention. The IAC policy index may be a useful tool to benchmark the performance of alcohol policy in supporting alcohol abstention in high and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Leung
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Sally Casswell
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Karl Parker
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Taisia Huckle
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Jose Romeo
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Thomas Graydon‐Guy
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Karimu Byron
- National Council on Drug Abuse PreventionBasseterreSt Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sarah Callinan
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Surasak Chaiyasong
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health and Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of PharmacyMahasarakham UniversityMaha SarakhamThailand
| | - Ross Gordon
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and SportUniversity of StirlingStirlingUK
- QUT Business SchoolQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Nadine Harker
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research UnitSouth African Medical Research CouncilTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - Anne Marie MacKintosh
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and SportUniversity of StirlingStirlingUK
| | - Petra Meier
- School of Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Social and Public Health Sciences UnitUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | | | - Charles D. Parry
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research UnitSouth African Medical Research CouncilTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - Cuong Pham
- Center for Injury Policy and Prevention ResearchHanoiVietnam
| | - Petal Petersen Williams
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research UnitSouth African Medical Research CouncilTygerbergSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Stephen Randerson
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of HealthMassey UniversityAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Karen Schelleman‐Offermans
- Maastricht UniversityWork & Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & NeuroscienceMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Gantuya Sengee
- Public Health Policy and Coordination DepartmentNational Center for Public Health of MongoliaUlaanbaatarMongolia
| | - Perihan Torun
- Department of Public HealthHamidiye International Medical SchoolIstanbulTurkey
| | - Wim van Dalen
- Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy STAPUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Søgaard TF, Nygaard-Christensen M, Frank VA. Danish cannabis policy revisited: Multiple framings of cannabis use in policy discourse. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2022; 38:377-393. [PMID: 35308112 PMCID: PMC8899054 DOI: 10.1177/14550725211018602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This article traces recent developments in Danish cannabis policy,
by exploring how “cannabis use” is problematised and governed
within different co-existing policy areas. Background: Recently, many countries have changed their cannabis policy by
introducing medical cannabis and/or by moving toward
legalisation or decriminalisation. Researchers have thus argued
that traditional notions of cannabis as a singular and coherent
object, are being replaced by perspectives that highlight the
multiple ontological character of cannabis. At the same time,
there is growing recognition that drug policy is not a unitary
phenomenon, but rather composed by multiple “policy areas”, each
defined by particular notions of what constitutes the relevant
policy “problem”. Design: We draw on existing research, government reports, policy papers and
media accounts of policy and policing developments. Results: We demonstrate how Danish cannabis policy is composed of different
co-existing framings of cannabis use; as respectively a social
problem, a problem of deviance, an organised crime problem, a
health- and risk problem and as a medical problem. Conclusion: While the international trend seems to be that law-and-order
approaches are increasingly being replaced by more liberal
approaches, Denmark, on an overall level, seems to be moving in
the opposite direction: Away from a lenient decriminalisation
policy and towards more repressive approaches. We conclude that
the prominence of discursive framings of cannabis use as a
“problem of deviance” and as “a driver of organised crime”, has
been key to this process.
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Editing the International Journal of Drug Policy. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 76:102664. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Nilsson T, Norström T, Andréasson S, Guldbrandsson K, Allebeck P, Leifman H. Effects of Local Alcohol Prevention Initiatives in Swedish Municipalities, 2006-2014. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:1008-1020. [PMID: 32024412 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1720246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Several components of the Swedish alcohol policy, e.g., pricing and availability, weakened when Sweden joined the EU in 1995. To counteract the possible negative effects of this, emphasis was placed on the local level as an important arena of alcohol prevention. Thus, considerable efforts were made to strengthen alcohol prevention in Swedish municipalities. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether local alcohol prevention reduced consumption and alcohol-related harm in Swedish municipalities. Methods: Alcohol prevention was monitored using a composite measure called the Alcohol Prevention Magnitude Measure (APMM), with subcategories of staff and budget, inspections and licenses, policy, activities, and cooperation. APMM and its categories were analysed in relation to alcohol consumption and harm over time, 2006-2014. A fixed effects model was used with 63% (N=182, consumption) and 71% (N=207, harm) of 290 Swedish municipalities, respectively, included in the analyses. Results: The main results suggest that when APMM increases with 1 percent, the alcohol-related mortality decreases with 0.26 percent, controlled for changes in population size, median income, unemployment, and post-secondary education. In light of this result, the estimated effect of APMM on alcohol consumption (sales) is small (0.02 percent decrease); possible explanations for this are discussed in the article. Conclusion: The overall results indicate that local alcohol prevention initiatives in Sweden have reduced some forms of alcohol-related harm, not least alcohol-related mortality, during the period 2006-2014. Further studies are needed to assess the generalizability of the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN)
| | - Thor Norström
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Andréasson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Karin Guldbrandsson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Peter Allebeck
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Håkan Leifman
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Belackova V, Shanahan M, Ritter A. Mapping regulatory models for medicinal cannabis: a matrix of options. AUST HEALTH REV 2019; 42:403-411. [PMID: 28553995 DOI: 10.1071/ah16257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective The aim of the present study was to develop a framework for assessing regulatory options for medicinal cannabis in Australia. Methods International regulatory regimes for medicinal cannabis were reviewed with a qualitative policy analysis approach and key policy features were synthesised, leading to a conceptual framework that facilitates decision making across multiple dimensions. Results Two central organising dimensions of medicinal cannabis regulation were identified: cannabis supply and patient authorisation (including patient access). A number of the different supply options can be matched with a number of different patient authorisation options, leading to a matrix of possible regulatory regimes. Conclusions The regulatory options, as used internationally, involve different forms of cannabis (synthetic and plant-based pharmaceutical preparations or herbal cannabis) and the varying extent to which patient authorisation policies and procedures are stringently or more loosely defined. The optimal combination of supply and patient authorisation options in any jurisdiction that chooses to make medicinal cannabis accessible will depend on policy goals. What is known about the topic? Internationally, regulation of medicinal cannabis has developed idiosyncratically, depending on formulations that were made available and local context. There has been no attempt to date in the scientific literature to systematically document the variety of regulatory possibilities for medicinal cannabis. What does this paper add? This paper presents a new conceptual schema for considering options for the regulation of medicinal cannabis, across both supply and patient authorisation aspects. What are the implications for practitioners? The design of regulatory systems in Australia, whether for pharmaceutical or herbal products, is a vital issue for policy makers right now as federal and state and territory governments grapple with the complexities of medicinal cannabis regulation. The conceptual schema presented herein provides a tool for more systematic thinking about the options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vendula Belackova
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Marian Shanahan
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Alison Ritter
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Moeller K. Sisters are never alike? Drug control intensity in the Nordic countries. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 73:141-145. [PMID: 31427212 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden - have traditionally had different approaches to drug control policies. From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Sweden and Norway were the most restrictive countries. Prior research has described how Nordic control policies became more repressive after this, but no research has examined this claim using the intensity of implementation as a measure. METHODS This study uses data collated by the EMCDDA to examine drug control intensity from 2000 to 2016. The four countries are compared on three measures: seizure numbers relative to total population, seizures numbers by type of drug relative to population, and cannabis seizures relative to the number of annual cannabis users. Standard bivariate tests for statistical significance are used to compare control intensity over time and between countries. RESULTS Compared to an earlier period from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Denmark maintained the level of drug seizures to population from 2000 to 2016. Finland increased intensity by 176 percent but remained at the lowest level in the region. Norway increased by 18 percent and is currently the country with the highest enforcement intensity. Sweden reduced overall intensity by 57 percent, which decreases the level for the region by 22 percent. Sixty to seventy percent of all seizures in every country was for cannabis. Accounting for cannabis prevalence rates changes the ranking of enforcement intensity in the countries. CONCLUSION Drug control intensity in the Nordic countries has harmonized over time. The disparity between the extremes of low control intensity in Finland and high intensity in Sweden has been reduced. Denmark is still comparatively lenient to users when considering high cannabis prevalence rates and Norway has taken the position as the strictest country on all control intensity measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Moeller
- Malmö University, Department of Criminology, Jan Waldenströms gata 25, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden.
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Neicun J, Steenhuizen M, van Kessel R, Yang JC, Negri A, Czabanowska K, Corazza O, Roman-Urrestarazu A. Mapping novel psychoactive substances policy in the EU: The case of Portugal, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218011. [PMID: 31242225 PMCID: PMC6594604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rapid rise in trade and use of NPS and the lack of information concerning their potential toxicity pose serious challenges to public health authorities across the world. Policy measures towards NPS taken so far have a special focus on their legal status, while the implementation of a public health strategy seems to be still missing. The aim of this study is to perform a general assessment of NPS-related policy (including regulatory measures and public health strategies) implemented by six European countries: Portugal, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden. METHODS Six EU countries were included in this scoping review study. Drug policies (including legal responses and public health strategies) were analysed. UNODC drug policy classification system was used as a benchmark, while path dependency approach was used for data analysis; a net of inter-dependencies between international, EU and national policies was highlighted. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The countries included in this study can be placed in a wide spectrum according to their formulation of drug policy, from Portugal and the UK that have specific legal responses to NPS but have differently focused on harm reduction strategies at one end, to Sweden whose drug-free society goal is not translated into a specific regulation of NPS at the other end. CONCLUSION The findings of the study reveal limited development towards harmonisation of national drug policies-particularly with regard to NPS. To tackle the challenge presented by NPS, EU Member states have formulated legislation and public health strategies independently. National approaches to NPS are therefore in line with their already existing drug policies, reflecting cultural values towards substance abuse and national political interests, while the homogenization at an international level has so far mostly been focused on law enforcement and drugs use preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Neicun
- Care and Public Health Research Centre, Department of International Health, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Novel Psychoactive Substance Unit, Centre for Clinical & Health Research Services, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Marthe Steenhuizen
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Robin van Kessel
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Justin C. Yang
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Attilio Negri
- Novel Psychoactive Substance Unit, Centre for Clinical & Health Research Services, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Czabanowska
- Care and Public Health Research Centre, Department of International Health, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Novel Psychoactive Substance Unit, Centre for Clinical & Health Research Services, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Andres Roman-Urrestarazu
- Care and Public Health Research Centre, Department of International Health, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Kotlaja MM, Carson JV. Cannabis Prevalence and National Drug Policy in 27 Countries: An Analysis of Adolescent Substance Use. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2019; 63:1082-1099. [PMID: 30477367 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x18814184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Prior research that assesses the relationship between cannabis policy and prevalence rates has yielded mixed results, perhaps due to the varying rigor of these investigations. Addressing some of these issues in rigor and informed by a rational choice theory (RCT), we hypothesize that those policies on the more punitive end of McDonald and colleagues' classification will be most effective. Examining legislation in 27 countries utilizing the Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) through hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) models with both individual- and country-level controls, we find little support for these hypotheses. Instead, results from our analysis largely indicate that the variation in country prevalence rates from 2005 to 2007 was not significantly related to cannabis control policy. We comment on possible policy implications for these preliminary results.
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Day E, Broder T, Bruneau J, Cruse S, Dickie M, Fish S, Grillon C, Luhmann N, Mason K, McLean E, Trooskin S, Treloar C, Grebely J. Priorities and recommended actions for how researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the affected community can work together to improve access to hepatitis C care for people who use drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 66:87-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Watson TM, Hyshka E, Bonato S, Rueda S. Early-Stage Cannabis Regulatory Policy Planning Across Canada's Four Largest Provinces: A Descriptive Overview. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:1691-1704. [PMID: 31076006 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1608249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Observing and documenting major shifts in drug policy in a given jurisdiction offer important lessons for other settings worldwide. After nearly a century of prohibition of non-medical use and sale of cannabis, Canada federally legalized the drug in October 2018. Across this geographically large and diverse country, there is a patchwork of cannabis policies as the provinces and territories have developed their own regulatory frameworks. Objectives: As drug policy transitions are often studied well after implementation, we document early stage cannabis regulatory policy planning in the four most populous provinces of Québec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Methods: In June 2018, we systematically searched peer-reviewed and gray literature (such as web content, reports, and policy documents authored by varied authorities and organizations) to identify key aspects of the evolving provincial cannabis legalization frameworks. In the absence of peer-reviewed studies, we reviewed primarily gray literature. Results: For each of the four provinces examined, we provide a succinct overview of early-stage public consultation, plans for cannabis distribution and retail, other key regulatory features, endorsements of a public health approach to legalization, general alignment with alcohol policy, and contentious or standout issues. Conclusions/Importance: Our review clearly illustrates that cannabis legalization in Canada is not unfolding as monolithic policy, despite a federal framework, but with divergent approaches. The public health outcomes that will result from the different provincial/territorial regulatory systems remain to be measured and will be closely monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine Hyshka
- b School of Public Health , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada
| | - Sarah Bonato
- a Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto , Canada
| | - Sergio Rueda
- a Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto , Canada.,c Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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Stevens A, Zampini GF. Drug policy constellations: A Habermasian approach for understanding English drug policy. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 57:61-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Houborg E, Bjerge B, Frank VA. Editorial: Comparing drug policies. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 56:128-130. [PMID: 29861169 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Benfer I, Zahnow R, Barratt MJ, Maier L, Winstock A, Ferris J. The impact of drug policy liberalisation on willingness to seek help for problem drug use: A comparison of 20 countries. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 56:162-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Rogeberg O, Bergsvik D, Phillips LD, van Amsterdam J, Eastwood N, Henderson G, Lynskey M, Measham F, Ponton R, Rolles S, Schlag AK, Taylor P, Nutt D. A new approach to formulating and appraising drug policy: A multi-criterion decision analysis applied to alcohol and cannabis regulation. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 56:144-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Hughes CE, Barratt MJ, Ferris JA, Maier LJ, Winstock AR. Drug-related police encounters across the globe: How do they compare? THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 56:197-207. [PMID: 29699837 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug law enforcement subsumes the majority of drug policy expenditure across the globe. Fuelled by knowledge that much of this investment is ineffective or counter-productive there have been increasing calls for cross-national comparisons to identify where policing approaches differ and what types of approaches may be more effective. Yet, to date cross-national comparison of drug law enforcement has proven a methodologically hazardous affair. Using a new drug policing module added to the 2017 Global Drug Survey, this study seeks to provide the first cross-national comparison of the incidence, nature and intensity of illicit drug-related police encounters amongst people who use drugs. METHODS The Global Drug Survey was administered in late 2016. Across 26 countries including Australia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, the UK and the USA a total of 45,942 people who had recently used drugs completed the drug policing module. Key variables assessed included the incidence and frequency of drug-related police encounters in the last 12 months that involved: a) being stopped and searched; b) encountering a drug detection dog; c) being given a caution or warning; d) being charged and arrested; and e) paying a bribe. Multi-level models were used to control for pre-existing national differences in drug use prevalence and non-drug specific policing (including the total number of police personnel in each country). RESULTS Drug-related police encounters were most commonly reported in Italy and Scotland. Conversely, police encounters were most likely to lead to arrest in Norway, Finland and Sweden. The type and locations of encounters further differed across countries, with for example stop and search most reported in Greece and Colombia, and encounters with drug detection dogs most reported in Scotland, Italy, UK and Australia. Multi-level models showed that the incidence of reported policing encounters continued to differ significantly across countries after controlling for pre-existing national differences in drug use prevalence and policing, and that drug policing encounters were 4 to 14 times more common in some nations than others. CONCLUSION The findings unearth significant cross-national differences in the incidence and nature of drug-related policing of people who use drugs. This suggests that there may be opportunities for countries to learn from each other about how and why they differ, and the potential benefits of switching to lower intensity modes of drug policing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Hughes
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Monica J Barratt
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason A Ferris
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Adam R Winstock
- Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, UK; Global Drug Survey Ltd, London, UK
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18
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Abstract
State-level marijuana liberalization policies have been evolving for the past five decades, and yet the overall scientific evidence of the impact of these policies is widely believed to be inconclusive. In this review we summarize some of the key limitations of the studies evaluating the effects of decriminalization and medical marijuana laws on marijuana use, highlighting their inconsistencies in terms of the heterogeneity of policies, the timing of the evaluations, and the measures of use being considered. We suggest that the heterogeneity in the responsiveness of different populations to particular laws is important for interpreting the mixed findings from the literature, and we highlight the limitations of the existing literature in providing clear insights into the probable effects of marijuana legalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California 90407; , .,National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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19
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Casswell S, Morojele N, Williams PP, Chaiyasong S, Gordon R, Gray-Phillip G, Viet Cuong P, MacKintosh AM, Halliday S, Railton R, Randerson S, Parry CDH. The Alcohol Environment Protocol: A new tool for alcohol policy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018; 37 Suppl 2:S18-S26. [PMID: 29314356 PMCID: PMC6208285 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction and Aim To report data on the implementation of alcohol policies regarding availability and marketing, and drink driving, along with ratings of enforcement from two small high‐income to three high‐middle income countries, and one low‐middle income country. Method This study uses the Alcohol Environment Protocol, an International Alcohol Control study research tool, which documents the alcohol policy environment by standardised collection of data from administrative sources, observational studies and interviews with key informants to allow for cross‐country comparison and change over time. Results All countries showed adoption to varying extents of key effective policy approaches outlined in the World Health Organization Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (2010). High‐income countries were more likely to allocate resources to enforcement. However, where enforcement and implementation were high, policy on availability was fairly liberal. Key Informants judged alcohol to be very available in both high‐ and middle‐income countries, reflecting liberal policy in the former and less implementation and enforcement and informal (unlicensed) sale of alcohol in the latter. Marketing was largely unrestricted in all countries and while drink‐driving legislation was in place, it was less well enforced in middle‐income countries. Conclusion In countries with fewer resources, alcohol policies are less effective because of lack of implementation and enforcement and, in the case of marketing, lack of regulation. This has implications for the increase in consumption taking place as a result of the expanding distribution and marketing of commercial alcohol and consequent increases in alcohol‐related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Casswell
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.,UK Centre for Tobacco & Alcohol Studies, Nottingham, UK
| | - Neo Morojele
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Petal Petersen Williams
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Surasak Chaiyasong
- Health Promotion Policy Research Center, International Health Policy Program, Nonthaburi, Thailand.,Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
| | - Ross Gordon
- Department of Marketing and Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gaile Gray-Phillip
- St. Kitts-Nevis National Council on Drug Abuse Prevention Secretariat, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
| | | | | | - Sharon Halliday
- St. Kitts-Nevis National Council on Drug Abuse Prevention Secretariat, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.,RAPHA Healthcare Services North Carolina, Durham, USA
| | - Renee Railton
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Steve Randerson
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles D H Parry
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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20
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Klieger SB, Gutman A, Allen L, Pacula RL, Ibrahim JK, Burris S. Mapping medical marijuana: state laws regulating patients, product safety, supply chains and dispensaries, 2017. Addiction 2017; 112:2206-2216. [PMID: 28696583 PMCID: PMC5725759 DOI: 10.1111/add.13910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS (1) To describe open source legal data sets, created for research use, that capture the key provisions of US state medical marijuana laws. The data document how state lawmakers have regulated a medicine that remains, under federal law, a Schedule I illegal drug with no legitimate medical use. (2) To demonstrate the variability that exists across states in rules governing patient access, product safety and dispensary practice. METHODS Two legal researchers collected and coded state laws governing marijuana patients, product safety and dispensaries in effect on 1 February 2017, creating three empirical legal data sets. We used summary tables to identify the variation in specific statutory provisions specified in each state's medical marijuana law as it existed on 1 February 2017. We compared aspects of these laws to the traditional Federal approach to regulating medicine. Full data sets, codebooks and protocols are available through the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System (http://www.pdaps.org/; Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/6qv5CZNaZ on 2 June 2017). RESULTS Twenty-eight states (including the District of Columbia) have authorized medical marijuana. Twenty-seven specify qualifying diseases, which differ across states. All states protect patient privacy; only 14 protect patients against discrimination. Eighteen states have mandatory product safety testing before any sale. While the majority have package/label regulations, states have a wide range of specific requirements. Most regulate dispensaries (25 states), with considerable variation in specific provisions such as permitted product supply sources number of dispensaries per state and restricting proximity to various types of location. CONCLUSIONS The federal ban in the United States on marijuana has resulted in a patchwork of regulatory strategies that are not uniformly consistent with the approach usually taken by the Federal government and whose effectiveness remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B. Klieger
- Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice, Beasley School of Law, Temple University
| | - Abraham Gutman
- Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice, Beasley School of Law, Temple University
| | | | | | - Jennifer K. Ibrahim
- Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice, Beasley School of Law, Temple University,College of Public Health, Temple University
| | - Scott Burris
- Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice, Beasley School of Law, Temple University
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21
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Wiessing L, Ferri M, Běláčková V, Carrieri P, Friedman SR, Folch C, Dolan K, Galvin B, Vickerman P, Lazarus JV, Mravčík V, Kretzschmar M, Sypsa V, Sarasa-Renedo A, Uusküla A, Paraskevis D, Mendão L, Rossi D, van Gelder N, Mitcheson L, Paoli L, Gomez CD, Milhet M, Dascalu N, Knight J, Hay G, Kalamara E, Simon R, Comiskey C, Rossi C, Griffiths P. Monitoring quality and coverage of harm reduction services for people who use drugs: a consensus study. Harm Reduct J 2017; 14:19. [PMID: 28431584 PMCID: PMC5401609 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite advances in our knowledge of effective services for people who use drugs over the last decades globally, coverage remains poor in most countries, while quality is often unknown. This paper aims to discuss the historical development of successful epidemiological indicators and to present a framework for extending them with additional indicators of coverage and quality of harm reduction services, for monitoring and evaluation at international, national or subnational levels. The ultimate aim is to improve these services in order to reduce health and social problems among people who use drugs, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, crime and legal problems, overdose (death) and other morbidity and mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS The framework was developed collaboratively using consensus methods involving nominal group meetings, review of existing quality standards, repeated email commenting rounds and qualitative analysis of opinions/experiences from a broad range of professionals/experts, including members of civil society and organisations representing people who use drugs. Twelve priority candidate indicators are proposed for opioid agonist therapy (OAT), needle and syringe programmes (NSP) and generic cross-cutting aspects of harm reduction (and potentially other drug) services. Under the specific OAT indicators, priority indicators included 'coverage', 'waiting list time', 'dosage' and 'availability in prisons'. For the specific NSP indicators, the priority indicators included 'coverage', 'number of needles/syringes distributed/collected', 'provision of other drug use paraphernalia' and 'availability in prisons'. Among the generic or cross-cutting indicators the priority indicators were 'infectious diseases counselling and care', 'take away naloxone', 'information on safe use/sex' and 'condoms'. We discuss conditions for the successful development of the suggested indicators and constraints (e.g. funding, ideology). We propose conducting a pilot study to test the feasibility and applicability of the proposed indicators before their scaling up and routine implementation, to evaluate their effectiveness in comparing service coverage and quality across countries. CONCLUSIONS The establishment of an improved set of validated and internationally agreed upon best practice indicators for monitoring harm reduction service will provide a structural basis for public health and epidemiological studies and support evidence and human rights-based health policies, services and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Wiessing
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marica Ferri
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vendula Běláčková
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- National Institute for Mental Health, Prague, Czech Republic
- Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Marseille, France
| | - Samuel R. Friedman
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, USA
| | - Cinta Folch
- Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (ASPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kate Dolan
- Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jeffrey V. Lazarus
- CHIP, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Viktor Mravčík
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- National Institute for Mental Health, Prague, Czech Republic
- National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mirjam Kretzschmar
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Sarasa-Renedo
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Field Epidemiology Training Program (PEAC), National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anneli Uusküla
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Luis Mendão
- Group of Activists on Treatments (GAT), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diana Rossi
- Intercambios Civil Association and University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nadine van Gelder
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luke Mitcheson
- Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Letizia Paoli
- Leuven Institute of Criminology (LINC), Faculty of Law, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Global Governance Studies (GSS), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina Diaz Gomez
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), Saint-Denis, France
| | - Maitena Milhet
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), Saint-Denis, France
| | - Nicoleta Dascalu
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS (ARAS), Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Gordon Hay
- Public Health Institute, Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eleni Kalamara
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Roland Simon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Carla Rossi
- Centro Studi Statistici e Sociali CE3S, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Griffiths
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
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22
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Burris S. Theory and methods in comparative drug and alcohol policy research: Response to a review of the literature. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 41:126-131. [PMID: 28041769 PMCID: PMC5337158 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Comparative drug and alcohol policy analysis (CPA) is alive and well, and the emergence of robust alternatives to strict prohibition provides exciting research opportunities. As a multidisciplinary practice, however, CPA faces several methodological challenges. This commentary builds on a recent review of CPA by Ritter et al. (2016) to argue that the practice is hampered by a hazy definition of policy that leads to confusion in the specification and measurement of the phenomena being studied. This problem is aided and abetted by the all-too-common omission of theory from the conceptualization and presentation of research. Drawing on experience from the field of public health law research, this commentary suggests a distinction between empirical and non-empirical CPA, a simple taxonomic model of CPA policy-making, mapping, implementation and evaluation studies, a narrower definition of and rationale for "policy" research, a clear standard for measuring policy, and an expedient approach (and renewed commitment) to using theory explicitly in a multi-disciplinary practice. Strengthening CPA is crucial for the practice to have the impact on policy that good research can.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Burris
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Beasley School of Law, Temple University, 1719 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
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23
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Assessing the concordance between illicit drug laws on the books and drug law enforcement: Comparison of three states on the continuum from "decriminalised" to "punitive". THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 41:148-157. [PMID: 28190670 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variations in drug laws, as well as variations in enforcement practice, exist across jurisdictions. This study explored the feasibility of categorising drug laws "on the books" in terms of their punitiveness, and the extent of their concordance with "laws in practice" in a cross-national comparison. METHODS "Law on the books", classified with respect to both cannabis and other drug offences in the Czech Republic, NSW (AU) and Florida (USA) were analysed in order to establish an ordinal relationship between the three states. Indicators to assess the "laws in practice" covered both police (arrests) and court (sentencing) activity between 2002 and 2013. Parametric and non-parametric tests of equality of means, tests of stationarity and correlation analysis were used to examine the concordance between the ordinal categorisation of "laws on the books" and "laws in practice", as well as trends over time. RESULTS The Czech Republic had the most lenient drug laws; Florida had the most punitive and NSW was in-between. Examining the indicators of "laws in practice", we found that the population adjusted number of individuals sentenced to prison ranked across the three states was concordant with categorisation of "laws on the books", but the average sentence length and percentage of court cases sentenced to prison were not. Also, the de jure decriminalisation of drug possession in the Czech Republic yielded a far greater share of administrative offenses than the de facto decriminalisation of cannabis use / possession in NSW. Finally, the mean value of most "laws in practice" indicators changed significantly over time although the "laws on the books" didn't change. CONCLUSIONS While some indicators of "laws in practice" were concordant with the ordinal categorisation of drug laws, several indicators of "laws in practice" appeared to operate independently from the drug laws as stated. This has significant implications for drug policy analysis and means that research should not assume they are interchangeable and should consider each separately when designing research.
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24
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Belackova V, Pazitny M, Drapalova E, Martinez M, van der Gouwe D, Begley E, Kidawa M, Tomkova A, Kmetonynova D. Assessing the impact of laws controlling the online availability of 25I-NBOMe, AH-7921, MDPV and MXE – outcomes of a semi-automated e-shop monitoring. DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2016.1275526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vendula Belackova
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic,
| | - Martin Pazitny
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,
| | - Eva Drapalova
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,
| | - Magali Martinez
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Saint Denis La Plaine Cedex France, Ile-de-France, France,
| | - Daan van der Gouwe
- Drugs Information and Monitoring System, Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands,
| | - Emma Begley
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, and
| | - Michal Kidawa
- National Bureau for Drug Prevention – Ministry of Health, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alexandra Tomkova
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,
| | - Daniela Kmetonynova
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic,
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25
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Martini L, Presley D, Klieger S, Burris S. A Scan of CDC-Authored Articles on Legal Epidemiology, 2011-2015. Public Health Rep 2016; 131:809-815. [PMID: 28123227 DOI: 10.1177/0033354916669497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts research on legal epidemiology, the scientific study of law as a factor in the cause, distribution, and prevention of disease. This study describes a scan of articles written by CDC staff members to characterize the frequency and key features of legal epidemiology articles and their distribution across CDC departments and divisions. METHODS CDC librarians searched an internal repository for journal articles by CDC staff published from January 1, 2011, to May 31, 2015. Researchers reviewed and coded the abstracts to produce data on key features of the articles. RESULTS Researchers identified 158 CDC-authored legal epidemiology articles published in 83 journals, most frequently in Preventing Chronic Disease (14 publications), Journal of Public Health Management Practice (10 publications), and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (9 publications). Most articles concerned the use and impact of law as a deliberate tool of intervention. Thirteen articles addressed the legal infrastructure of public health, and 3 assessed the incidental or unintended effects of nonhealth laws. CDC-authored articles encompassed policy making, implementation, and impact. Literature reviews and studies mapping laws across multiple jurisdictions constituted one-quarter of all publications. Studies addressed laws at the international, national, state, local, and organizational levels. CONCLUSION Results of the scan can be used to identify opportunities for the agency to better support research, professional development, networking, publication, and tracking of publication in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Martini
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Presley
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah Klieger
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott Burris
- Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Jackson D, Hutchinson M, Barnason S, Li W, Mannix J, Neville S, Piper D, Power T, Smith GD, Usher K. Towards international consensus on patient harm: perspectives on pressure injury policy. J Nurs Manag 2016; 24:902-914. [DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Debra Jackson
- Oxford Brookes University; Oxford UK
- Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford UK
- University of New England; Lismore New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Susan Barnason
- University of Nebraska Medical Center; Lincoln Nebraska USA
| | - William Li
- The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong China
| | - Judy Mannix
- Western Sydney University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Donella Piper
- University of New England; Lismore New South Wales Australia
| | - Tamara Power
- University of Technology Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Kim Usher
- University of New England; Lismore New South Wales Australia
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Rhodes T, Stevens A, Ritter A, Decorte T. Advancing the science, methods and practices of drug policy research. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 31:1-3. [PMID: 27174818 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Rhodes
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alex Stevens
- School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, UK
| | - Alison Ritter
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tom Decorte
- Institute for Social Drug Research, Ghent University, Belgium
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