Northwestern States

commentary

Another Record-Breaking Fire Season Shows the Need for a Comprehensive Strategy

Year after year, fires across western U.S. states scorch forests, rangeland, and neighborhoods, wreaking havoc on rural economies and pushing smoke into cities. Policymakers should consider a coordinated and comprehensive effort that brings together the best minds in government, communities, and academia.

Jay Balagna, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg

commentary

Revoking the 'License to Drink': Emerging Evidence on Mandatory Sobriety

After counties in South Dakota implemented a 24/7 sobriety program, repeat arrests for impaired driving decreased in the counties by an average of 12%. North Dakota implemented a similar program and also saw decreases in impaired driving. Can the same results be achieved outside of the Dakotas?

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer, Gregory Midgette

blog

Gun Policy, Cannabis, ISIS: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap looks at gun policy in America, the cannabis market in Washington state, countering an ISIS comeback, and more.

blog

Cryptocurrency, Russian Social Media, Congestion Pricing: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on cryptocurrencies, Russian social media influence, congestion pricing, and more.

commentary

Congestion Tolls Work in London and Stockholm—Why Not Seattle?

Seattle is considering following in the footsteps of London, Stockholm, Singapore, and Milan to introduce a charge for driving on the city's roads. What can Seattle and its residents learn from other cities that have implemented road user charging?

Charlene Rohr

q&a

Your Questions About Marijuana Legalization, Answered

At least five states will vote on legal recreational marijuana this November. Drug policy expert Beau Kilmer hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit to shed light on this and other issues.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

commentary

Should Some Californians Lose Their 'License to Drink'?

In California, many efforts to reduce repeat drunken driving focus on the driving. What if the state targeted the 'drunk' aspect instead?

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

commentary

Oregon Standoff Shouldn't Have an Anti-Terrorism Twist

Dwight and Steven Hammond were charged under a law enacted to fight terrorism, not rein in wayward ranchers. Anti-terrorist laws should not be used to strengthen prosecutors' hands in nonterrorist prosecutions—it makes national security needs look like an instrument of oppression.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Could You Lose Your License to Drink?

Criminal justice reform requires creating demand for bold ideas about simultaneously reducing incarceration and crime. Given the prominent role alcohol plays in crime — and the strong results from South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety program — suspending one's “license to drink” seems well worth considering.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

commentary

To Serve and Collect? Police Department Funding, Effectiveness, and Legitimacy

Like so many issues in public policy, one of the factors shaping the complex policing challenges facing America—and a potential lever to help address them—is simple and unsurprising. That factor is money.

Brian A. Jackson

commentary

Progress After Ferguson? Good Ideas Need Good Implementation

President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing has done a great service by providing dozens of sound recommendations—good ideas that could help avoid another Ferguson. Now we need good implementation to go along with them.

Nelson Lim, Greg Ridgeway

commentary

The State of Washington and Its Focus on Rehabilitation

California can learn a great deal from the state of Washington, which has implemented a series of reforms focused on rehabilitation--on diverting offenders to treatment and other options and making serving time in prison the last option.

Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis

commentary

Data Key to Tackling Racial Profiling in Ferguson

Authorities in Ferguson would be wise to consider following Cincinnati's example in dealing with mistrust between police and citizens after the police shooting of a young black man. The city embarked on a thorough examination of racial profiling by its police force and took steps to deal with the perception that bias was influencing the way police officers performed their duties.

K. Jack Riley @K_Jack_Riley

commentary

Are We Entering a New Era of Cannabis Regulation?

Although international drug treaties prohibit the production, distribution, and possession of cannabis for non-medical and non-scientific purposes, several jurisdictions have implemented new laws and policies, including some that remove criminal penalties for possession of small doses of cannabis.

Kristy Kruithof, Mafalda Pardal @PardalMafalda

commentary

The Feds' Role After Legalization

Since Colorado and Washington allow profit-maximizing firms to grow and sell marijuana, there is concern they will use advertising to promote consumption by heavy users. With help from the federal government, the states will be better positioned to head off the negative consequences associated with commercialization.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

commentary

Moore Must Be Ready for Psychological Aftermath

Ensuring the availability of needed mental health resources was critical in the immediate aftermath and recovery phase of the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado. Authorities in Oklahoma must ensure that such services are in place early so that Moore's residents can begin the long journey to recovery.

Mahshid Abir

commentary

Applying What Works to Reduce Non-Urgent Emergency Department Use

It is likely that communities with low rates of non-urgent ED use not only have better access to primary care, but patients who are educated about appropriate care seeking and convenient alternatives for acute care, writes Lori Uscher-Pines.

Lori Uscher-Pines

blog

Ask Me Anything: Beau Kilmer Answers Drug Policy Questions on Reddit

Beau 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.

blog

A New Approach to Reducing Drunk Driving and Domestic Violence

Beau Kilmer, codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, discusses South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project, which requires those arrested for or convicted of alcohol-related offenses to take twice-a-day breathalyzer tests or wear a continuous monitoring bracelet. Those who fail or skip their tests are immediately subject to modest sanctions—typically a day or two in jail.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

commentary

Creating a World Center for Scientist-Explorers

Published commentary by RAND staff

Lee Huntsman, Kenneth Shine, et al.