Quarterly insights from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

COVID Relief and Cannabis Legalization

Cannabis legalization is a multifaceted decision with implications for health, safety, and social equity. Whether legalization could fund COVID relief should not be a major focus of these debates. Read more »

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New Data on Buprenorphine-Waivered Clinicians in the U.S.

Evidence shows waivered-clinicians who are able to prescribe buprenorphine treat fewer patients than their limit allows. With so much unmet demand for opioid use disorder treatment, this suggests the need for ongoing efforts to address treatment barriers.

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Veterans with Both Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders Need Integrated Treatment

Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are common among post-9/11 veterans. But treatment programs typically specialize in one issue or the other. Integrated treatments are more effective and have become more available, but it's critical that veterans have access to facilities that are equipped to treat them.

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Pitfalls and Potholes: Data Issues to Consider When Conducting Analyses of State Opioid Policies

The RAND-USC Schaeffer Opioid Policy Tools and Information Center is hosting a free seminar on September 14, 2020. Topics include: Strengths and limitations of state opioid policy data sources, measuring changes over time, and more.

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Systematic Review of the Emerging Literature on the Effectiveness of Naloxone Access Laws in the U.S.

The existing literature on naloxone access laws in the United States supports beneficial effects for increased naloxone distribution, but provides inconclusive evidence for reduced fatal opioid overdose.