Welcome to the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

Providing decisionmakers with rigorous, nonpartisan research on substance use and drug policy

Since 1989, the RAND Drug Policy Research Center has conducted research to help decisionmakers in the United States and throughout the world address issues involving alcohol and other drugs. In doing so, the Center brings an objective and data-driven perspective to this often emotional and fractious policy arena.

DPRC in the News

A selection of news reporting on critical RAND Drug Policy Research Center research and commentary.

From the RAND Blog

Legalization in the U.S. and Crime in Mexico — May 22, 2013

protest against violence in Juarez, MexicoDriving Mexican marijuana out of the U.S. would probably reduce the traffickers' export revenue by a few billion dollars a year, writes Beau Kilmer. But would reducing that revenue lead to a corresponding decrease in trafficker violence?

Improvement of Prevention Capacity Unveiled at a Summit of Maine Officials and Stakeholders — Apr 29, 2013

teens making a toast with shotsCommunity-based practitioners can improve their programs using Getting To Outcomes®, a toolkit, training, and onsite-support package which enhances their ability to prevent drug and alcohol use among youth.

Ask Me Anything: Beau Kilmer Answers Drug Policy Questions on Reddit — Apr 26, 2013

rally to legalize marijuanaBeau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and coauthor of Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know, hosted an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session on Reddit this week. He fielded questions from participants on a variety of drug policy issues.

7 Key Questions on Marijuana Legalization — Apr 25, 2013

Visuals showing suppprt for marijuana legalization in Washington state and how tax revenues will benefit the communityPolicymakers in Washington and Colorado are confronting some new and tricky issues that have never been addressed. For them, and for anyone else thinking about changing their pot laws, there are seven key decision areas that will shape the costs and benefits of marijuana legalization.

Teen Employment May Not Always Be a Boon for At-Risk Youth — Dec 18, 2012

For all teens, and especially those who have already experienced problems related to alcohol and drug use, it is essential to monitor the quality of work experiences and keep in mind that some work environments might increase risk for substance use.

The 24/7 Sobriety Project: A New Approach to Reducing Drunk Driving and Domestic Violence — Nov 15, 2012

liquor and keysExcessive alcohol consumption costs society nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars each year. An innovative program that combines frequent alcohol testing for offenders with swift and certain sanctions for failed tests can help reduce problem drinking and improve public health.

How Might the Federal Government React if States Legalize Marijuana? — Sep 13, 2012

ballot box with vote to legalize marijuanaThis November, Washington state, Oregon, and Colorado voters will consider ballot measures to legalize the production, distribution, and possession of marijuana for nonmedical purposes. Even if voters pass these measures at the state level, marijuana will still be prohibited by the federal government, writes Beau Kilmer.

Parents: That Summer Job Could Be Teaching Your Youngster to Smoke — Aug 30, 2012

Workplaces across the world that rely on a teenage workforce, like supermarkets and fast food restaurants, need to do a better job protecting young people from starting to smoke, writes Rajeev Ramchand.

Multimedia

Estimating Marijuana Consumption in Washington State — Mar 20, 2013

marijuana leafOn TVW's The Impact news show, Beau Kilmer, RAND Drug Policy Research Center co-director, speaks about being a part of the team selected by the state of Washington to provide research and analysis to regulators on the issues surrounding marijuana legalization. The interview with Kilmer starts at 3:30 and runs until 10:30.

Beau Kilmer Discusses Potential Economic Impact of Marijuana Legalization — Aug 14, 2012

An ABC news feature on the soft science behind estimates of the potential economic impact of marijuana legalization largely features RAND DPRC codirector Beau Kilmer.
More DPRC Multimedia

Featured Projects

What America's Users Spend on Illicit Drugs, 2000-2010

Drug purchasingThe White House Office of National Drug Control Policy contracted with RAND to develop estimates of how many Americans use cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or methamphetamine and how much money they spend on these substances.

Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use Trajectories: The Role of Race and Ethnicity

Middle school students This health promotion and disease prevention project will measure youth alcohol and drug use annually in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of middle school and high school students.

Preventing and Managing Prescription Drug Misuse Among Military Personnel

To estimate the potential burden that prescription drug misuse poses to the military and identify promising practices to prevent and treat prescription drug misuse.

Treating Depression in People with Substance Abuse Problems

depressionBuilding Recovery by Improving Goals, Habits, and Thoughts (BRIGHT) is a group cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to treat depression in people with substance abuse problems.

Analyzing the Illicit Drug Market in the EU

To further analyze Europe's illicit drug market and the EU's responses to it, DPRC and RAND Europe are teaming with European partners to expand their original 2009 research on the global drug market.

Evaluating the Causal Pathways from Lapse to Relapse in Smokers

The goal of this project is to uncover the psychological variables that cause smokers to relapse. The results will be used to inform a new generation of more successful smoking cessation treatments.

Measuring Drug Related Crime

handcuffs and moneyRAND was awarded a contract to develop a methodology for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to estimate drug-related crimes in the United States and to pilot test the proposed methodology using a select number of data sources to develop estimates at the national level.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Social Impact Bonds to Reduce Criminal Recidivism

RAND Europe has been commissioned to evaluate the development, implementation and operation of this first ever Social Impact Bond.

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Researcher Spotlight

Joan S. Tucker

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Joan S. Tucker

Joan S. Tucker is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. She conducts research primarily in the areas of substance use and HIV/AIDS. Her work on substance use includes identifying developmental trajectories of substance use, risk factors for initiation and escalation, and short-…

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Marijuana Legalization

The RAND Drug Policy Research Center has provided objective analysis and research to decisionmakers for over 20 years. This page collects DPRC's pertinent published articles and studies, presenting unbiased information for those making decisions about marijuana policy.