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Illegal Drug Trade

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RAND has studied the impact of policy measures on the problem of illicit drugs; offered recommendations on supply-reduction efforts; and considered the possible effects of marijuana legalization or decriminalization on drug trafficking revenues and on drug-related violence.

Report

Contemporary Asian Drug Policy

May 15, 2019

An analysis of drug use, drug supply, and the burden of disease associated with illegal drugs in Asia can inform policies aiming to reduce substance use disorders and drug trafficking. Three case studies show how drug policy is shifting in the Philippines, Thailand, and China.
Report

Growth of the Online Illicit Drugs Trade

Aug 8, 2016

Silk Road was the first major online marketplace for illegal goods on the hidden web. Since the FBI took it down in 2013, copycats have filled the void. Transactions for illicit drugs on cryptomarkets have tripled and revenues have doubled.

Explore Illegal Drug Trade

News Release

News Release

Some Asian Nations Reforming Drug Policies; China Unlikely to Curb Fentanyl Exports in Short Term

Strict policies traditionally embraced by Asian nations to discourage illicit drug use are beginning to change, with a few nations adopting alternative approaches while other nations are taking an even harder line against drugs.

May 15, 2019
Commentary

Hadrian's Wall Was a Policy Statement; So Is Donald Trump's

It's not clear if Hadrian's Wall was necessary to prevent Scottish fighters from invading the Roman Empire. Neither is it clear how effective Trump's wall would be at repelling undocumented immigration and smugglers. Hadrian's Wall may have been of symbolic value to those on both sides of it. Trump's could be, too.

Mar 6, 2019
Report

Report

Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment

An examination of the evolution of both allied and adversary use of information power, alongside a comparative analysis of capability areas in which these others excel, can guide future U.S. Army force planning.

Jun 7, 2018
Report

Report

Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment: Case Studies

Twelve detailed case studies examine of the activities and strategic goals of allies, adversaries, and potential adversaries in and through the information environment, highlighting insights for U.S. Army planning.

Jun 7, 2018
Commentary

Prioritizing Security at the U.S. Border with Mexico

As debate on border security continues, policymakers would be wise to look beyond the heated rhetoric to clearly identify priorities and make informed decisions about how best to deploy finite resources to get the strongest security for the investment.

Jan 29, 2018
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?

Jan 9, 2018
Commentary

ISIS Is So Desperate It's Turning to the Drug Trade

As the Islamic State loses territory, it is forced to seek new revenue streams to exploit, including drug trafficking. Proceeds garnered from peddling narcotics affords jihadis in Europe the financial flexibility to travel to Syria, to fund attacks, and to pay for their return trips home.

Jul 25, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Police Legitimacy and Disrupting Overt Drug Markets

The study investigates mechanisms thought to support immediate and sustained change after a DMI by analyzing qualitative data collected in community focus groups conducted at three-, six-, and 15-months following a DMI across three different sites.

Jun 30, 2017
Report

Report

Mid-Term Assessment of the EU Drugs Strategy 2013–2020 and Final Evaluation of the Action Plan on Drugs 2013–2016: Final report

The report sets out the findings of an evaluation that assesses the degree of implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 and the Action Plan 2013-2016 in all 28 EU Member States in terms of outputs and, where possible, impacts.

May 24, 2017
Commentary

Mixed Messages: Is Cocaine Consumption in the U.S. Going Up or Down?

Data lags and the elimination of the ADAM program complicate estimates of U.S. cocaine consumption. New users who haven't yet developed cocaine dependence are also a factor. It may be prudent to start planning for an increase in heavy use even before all of the evidence is in.

Apr 28, 2017
Report

How to Counter Transnational Criminal Networks

Transnational criminal networks have expanded their global reach. In some cases, they have even converged with terrorist groups. How do these networks threaten U.S. interests? And what can be done to combat them?

Jan 27, 2017
Report

Report

Against the rising tide: an overview of the growing criminalization of the Mediterranean basin

This publication is part of a series of four RAND Perspectives (PE) each focusing on different challenges in the Mediterranean region. The focus of this PE is on defence and security issues and their implications for regional stability.

Jan 25, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Barriers to HPV Immunization Among Blacks and Latinos: A Qualitative Analysis of Caregivers, Adolescents, and Providers

National vaccination rates for the human papilloma virus (HPV) among 11-12 year olds remain low, especially among Black and Latino youth.

Oct 5, 2016
Commentary

Dark Web Likely Isn't Fuelling International Drug Sales

Vendors in the Netherlands have developed a fairly successful international trade of ecstasy-type drugs and stimulants from online markets, but it appears that most countries are selling illicit drugs within their own borders.

Sep 19, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Police Costs of the Drug Market Intervention: Insights from Two Cities

Implementing a Drug Market Intervention (DMI) in a single target area is estimated to cost a jurisdiction the equivalent of employing 1.7 to 2.3 full-time police officers for one year.

Sep 8, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Using Respondent-Driven Sampling to Recruit Illegal Drug Purchasers to Evaluate a Drug Market Intervention

Respondent-driven sampling -- a peer-driven method of recruiting hidden populations -- can be used to create a representative sample of a drug market's users; the sample can then be surveyed to discern the effects of a Drug Market Intervention.

Sep 8, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

What Can Be Learned from Cross-National Comparisons of Data on Illegal Drugs?

Harmonizing measurement of drug policy indicators, such as prevalence of use, problematic use, and drug enforcement, would help improve cross-national comparisons of how nations deal with illicit drugs.

Sep 8, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Study on Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions as Response to Drug Law Offences and Drug-Related Crimes: Final Report

This study aims to map alternatives to coercive sanctions (ACS) for drug law offences and drug-related crimes that are available under the law in each EU member state and describe the use of these sanctions in practice.

Sep 8, 2016
News Release

News Release

Untangling the 'Dark Web': New Study Shows Steady Growth of the Online Illicit Drugs Trade

The number of transactions for illicit drugs on cryptomarkets, which exist on the “dark web,” have tripled and revenues have doubled since 2013, when Silk Road 1.0 was shut down by the FBI.

Aug 8, 2016

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