Addictions to, dependence on, and abuse of alcohol and drugs—from marijuana and methamphetamine to cocaine and heroin—place emotional and economic burdens on individuals, families, and communities. RAND research provides a firm, empirical foundation for policymakers and helps community leaders and public officials worldwide to deal effectively with substance use disorders and associated issues.
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RAND Justice, Infrastructure, and Environment;
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News Releases (15)
In its first six years, an innovative alcohol monitoring program called the South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Project reduced county-level repeat DUI arrests by 12 percent and domestic violence arrests by 9 percent.
The nature of the American drug problem has changed substantially over the last 20 years. It is now less of a crime problem illustrated by drug market violence and more of a health problem with higher rates of morbidity and mortality, and a criminal justice problem of burdensome incarceration rates.
A decade of unprecedented efforts in Arkansas has cut cigarette use by nearly one-third and reduced incidence of tobacco-related illnesses such as heart attacks and stroke. To maintain the gains it has made, Arkansas should continue its financial commitment of devoting the tobacco settlement funds to public health programs.
If prevention researchers build programs with developmentally relevant content, and provide this content in an engaging, confidential, and non-judgmental way, it can help middle school-aged children avoid alcohol.
Treating U.S. veterans with mental illness and substance use disorders is more expensive than caring for those with other medical conditions but the quality of mental health care offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is as good as or better than that reported by privately insured, Medicare, or Medicaid populations.
Efforts by the United States to combat Latin American cocaine smugglers have disrupted drug supplies and captured key cartel leaders, but they have not significantly reduced the region's overall narcotics trade.
Legalizing marijuana in California will not dramatically reduce the drug revenues collected by Mexican drug trafficking organizations from sales to the United States.
Legalizing the production and distribution of marijuana in California could cut the price of the drug by as much as 80 percent and increase consumption.
School-based drug education programs for adolescents can have a long-term positive impact on sexual behavior in addition to curbing substance abuse.
The United States should forge a strategic partnership with Mexico that emphasizes reform and long-term institution building as a way to battle the ongoing drug war and other security challenges that face Mexico.
Most adolescents referred to long-term group homes in Los Angeles County after being charged with a serious offense reported they were still involved with crime or drugs seven years later.
The economic cost of methamphetamine use in the United States reached $23.4 billion in 2005, including the burden of addiction, premature death, drug treatment and many other aspects of the drug.
May 3, 2007 news release: RAND Study Finds Alcohol Advertising and Marketing Are Associated with Adolescent Drinking.
December 7, 2006 News Release: RAND Study Shows Drug, Alcohol and Cigarette Use While Alone Puts Eighth-Graders at High Risk for Later Problems.
RAND Finds Imprisoned Low-Level Drug Offenders in Arizona and California Typically Could Have Faced More Serious Charges
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