Drug and Illicit Markets

Using innovative methods, we offer evidence-based insights into the size and nature of online and offline illicit markets and provide expert assessments on drug policy both nationally and internationally

Research, commentary, and events

Commentary
Political Manifestos Should Do Better Than “Legalise It”
After years of political deadlock, a new era for drug policy in the Netherlands seems to be on the horizon. At least two factors are increasing politicians' appetite for change: increased awareness of the problems of drug-related organized crime in the Netherlands, and Dutch drug policy no longer being ahead of the curve.
Project
Drug Strategy Investment in Treatment And Recovery (D-SITAR) Evaluation
RAND Europe is evaluating the first three years of the 'From Harm to Hope' drug strategy treatment and recovery portfolio in England.
Project
Analysis of non-profit models of cannabis regulation
The Swiss Federal Office for Public Health commissioned RAND Europe to provide an overview of non-commercial regulation models for cannabis.
Project
Evaluating the closed coffeeshop chain cannabis experiment in the Netherlands
Researchers examined the possible effects of an experiment to cultivate and deliver quality-controlled cannabis through a closed supply chain for coffeeshops in the Netherlands.
Event
2023 Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP)
RAND Europe hosted the ISSDP 2023 Conference in Leuven, Belgium on 30 May – 1 June 2023.
Announcement
Hoorens, Pardal present at drug policy conferences
With research and presentations by Stijn Hoorens and Mafalda Pardal at recent drug policy conferences, RAND Europe has made a name for itself in the drug policy research community, with more to come in 2023.
Commentary
Cannabis Legalization in Europe: Planning Ahead
Since 2012, multiple jurisdictions have changed their laws to legalize the production, possession, and use of cannabis for nonmedical purposes. While most of these changes took place in the Americas, there are signs that the European legal landscape might be changing, too.
Project
New insights into the medical use of cannabis
Researchers are examining the latest developments and available evidence concerning the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
Commentary
Green Light for Cannabis Legalisation in Germany Is Not a Clear-Cut Decision
The new “traffic light” coalition in Germany recently agreed to regulate the sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops. International experience has shown that great care is needed in how cannabis policy is shaped.
Project
Identifying an approach to measure the illicit market for tobacco
To capture the total volume of the illicit tobacco trade in the EU and member states, as well as distinguish between the legal and illegal market, types of tobacco products, and types of illicit trade, researchers propose a combination of five methods and three cross-validating resources.
Commentary
Australia Contained COVID-19 Early On. Can It Do the Same with Synthetic Opioids?
Australia is at risk of a fentanyl problem, but it is better prepared than North America. If the country can make the same kind of concerted effort it did to keep COVID-19 at bay, that could save thousands of lives.
Project
Assessing the economic value of illicit markets in the EU
The aggregate annual revenues of the nine main criminal markets in the EU ranged from €92 to €188 billion in 2019, according to research that examined the scale, actors, modus operandi and trends in these markets.
Project
Evaluating Sentencing Council guidelines for drug and theft offences
At the request of the Sentencing Council, researchers assessed whether sentencing guidelines for specific drug and theft offences in England and Wales have an impact on sentencing outcomes and whether there are any issues with their implementation.
Project
Evaluation of drug and alcohol "payment by results" pilots
Eight drug and alcohol recovery PbR pilots were evaluated to assess whether this new funding approach can stimulate the market to provide different services in these areas and encourage development of more effective recovery programmes.
Project
Evaluating individual placement and support for alcohol and drug dependence
IPS is an evidence-based programme that helps people with mental health challenges find employment. Public Health England is conducting a trial that expands the programme to help people in treatment for substance misuse. Our researchers are conducting a process evaluation of the trial.
Commentary
Is the EU Drugs Strategy Helping to Curb the Harm Caused by Drugs?
The EU Drugs Strategy takes a balanced approach to reduce drug demand, supply, and harm. All EU member states have a national drugs strategy, and most are aligned with the EU's. Having a coordinated voice on drug policy is valuable but is the strategy working?