Substance Use

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Substance use touches on many facets of public policy, including health and health care, economic issues, criminal justice, and risk behaviors—particularly among youth. Accordingly, RAND conducts drug policy research that addresses a range of concerns, from treatment effectiveness, harm reduction, drug markets and supply, and predictors and consequences to evaluations of programs to prevent youth from using and abusing drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

  • An open prescription bottle and capsule of LSD, photo courtesy of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

    Essay

    Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics in Treating PTSD and Depression Among Veterans

    Clinical trials have shown that psychedelics can have a positive effect on mental health conditions like PTSD or depression for some people. Enthusiasm for these treatments has grown among veterans and providers who work with military populations. The VA should invest in research and provide guidance on psychedelics.

    Nov 8, 2023

  • A man who was found unconscious after overdosing on opioids is in an ambulance in the Boston suburb of Malden, Massachusetts, December 2, 2017, photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters

    News Release

    Rise in Overdose Deaths Increasingly Affects Those with Lower Educational Attainment

    Drug overdose deaths increased sharply among Americans without a college education and nearly doubled over a three-year period among those who don't have a high school diploma. The findings further highlight a potential association between the rise in drug overdose deaths and barriers to education access, a social determinant of health.

    Oct 6, 2023

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