Quarterly insights from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

Close up of pill, injection, and other types of opioid drugs on a wooden table

Reducing Deaths from Heroin and Other Opioids

On April 5th, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula testified before Congress about these four strategies for reducing deaths from heroin and other opioids: Expanding access to treatment, expanding availability to naloxone, enhancing prescription-drug monitoring programs, and establishing guidelines for safe opioid prescribing. View the testimony »

Talks at Google, logo by Google

Talks at Google: Beau Kilmer on Marijuana Legalization

On March 29th, Beau Kilmer presented his marijuana research at Google. He begins by describing an insightful Dutch road trip that had nothing to do with the coffeeshops.

View the talk »

Photo by sharrocks/Getty Images

Progress Report on EU Drugs Strategy

To ensure that the objectives of the EU Drugs Strategy are achieved by 2020, the European Commission should renew its EU Action Plan on Drugs for the period 2017–2020 and continue to translate the current plan's high-level objectives into concrete action.

U.S. Coast Guardsmen unload 3,500 pounds of cocaine seized from a vessel in the Caribbean valued at an estimated $43 million in Miami, March 16, 2012, photo by PO2 Nick Ameen/U.S. Coast Guard

Photo by PO2 Nick Ameen/U.S. Coast Guard

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

Data lags, the elimination of the ADAM program, and fentanyl complicate estimates of U.S. cocaine consumption. It may be prudent to start planning for an increase in heavy use even before all of the evidence is in.

Photo by kali9/Getty Images

Bringing Alcohol Treatment to DUI Programs

Alcohol use disorders are common among persons with a first-time driving under the influence (DUI) arrest. Providing treatment within DUI programs has the potential to increase access for at-risk individuals who may not otherwise seek help.