Quarterly insights from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

Complex Link Between Medical Cannabis and Fewer Opioid Deaths

The association between medical cannabis and lower levels of opioid overdose deaths—identified previously in several studies—is more complex than previously described. It appears to be changing as both medical cannabis laws and the opioid crisis evolve. Read more »

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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?

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Testing a Social Network Intervention to Reduce Substance Use

Helping people who struggle with homelessness identify members of their social network who trigger alcohol and other drug (AOD) use may motivate them to reduce high-risk AOD use in the transition to permanent housing.

A customer browses screens displaying recreational marijuana products for sale at the MedMen store in West Hollywood, California U.S. January 2, 2018, photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

How Will Cannabis Legalization Affect Alcohol Consumption?

How will legalization of recreational cannabis affect alcohol consumption? Will drinking go down because people substitute cannabis for alcohol? Or will drinking go up because cannabis and alcohol complement each other? These questions have important implications for public health and tax revenues.

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Another Barrier to Evidence-Based Drug Prevention and Treatment?

U.S. schools and community organizations face a difficult battle to reduce youth substance use and they need tools to help them choose programs that will work best for their youth.