Quarterly insights from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

The Future of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids

The rise of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is unlike any drug crisis in U.S. history. Limiting policy responses to existing approaches will likely be insufficient and may condemn many people to early deaths. Read more »

Female doctor talking with teenage girl, photo by fizkes/Getty Images

Photo by AndreyPopov/Getty Images

Which Teenagers Benefit Most From a Brief Primary Care Substance Use Intervention?

A brief primary care intervention can be effective over the long-term for adolescents who report problems from alcohol and cannabis use.

Cocaine, cannabis leaf, and syringe, photos by Bits and Splits, underworld, and Leonid/Adobe Stock

How Big Is the U.S. Market for Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, and Meth?

People in the United States spent about $150 billion on cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in 2016. The cannabis market was roughly the size of the cocaine and methamphetamine markets combined.

Off-duty soldier drinking alcohol and looking at a picture, photo by Vadim Guzhva/Adobe Stock

Substance Use Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

The Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about their use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit and prescription drugs. Cigarette smoking in the military has decreased over the past decade, but rates of binge drinking are still high enough to cause concern.

Photo by Jason Redmond/Reuters

How Is the Cannabis Market in Washington State Changing?

This report provides detailed information about state-legal cannabis production and sales in Washington, as well as insights about the total amount of THC obtained from legal and illegal sources.