Giving Drug Policy Decisionmakers the Data They Need June 24, 2022
Testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control on June 22, 2022.
Publications on Drug Abuse and Drug Policy
2022
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Volunteer Recovery Support for Adolescents: Using Propensity Score Based Methods to Understand Dosage Effects Within a Randomized Controlled Trial June 24, 2022
The study used statistical methods designed to approximate RCTs when comparing more than two nonequivalent groups that include an assessment of the potential impact of omitted variables in order to address potential dosage effects for a commonly used evidence based substance use treatment program for adolescents.
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Comparative Effectiveness of Individual Versus Family-Based Substance Use Treatment on Adolescent Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors June 21, 2022
We compared the effectiveness of individual- and family-based substance use treatments in reducing youth self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.
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Rapid Changes in Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl Products and Prices in the United States May 13, 2022
This analysis used data from drug seizures and undercover purchases to address two questions: To what extent does supply of illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF) vary over time and geography? What has happened to the purity-adjusted price of IMF?
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Comparison of Hospital Claims and Poison Center Data to Evaluate Health Impact of Opioids, Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids March 4, 2022
This study demonstrates the differences in surveillance methodology for concurrent drug abuse epidemics using hospital claims and PC data. Both systems provide incomplete reports, but in combination can provide a more complete picture.
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Cannabis Legalization and Cannabis-Involved Pregnancy Hospitalizations in Colorado March 4, 2022
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between presence of recreational cannabis dispensaries and prevalence of cannabis-involved pregnancy hospitalizations in Colorado.
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Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System February 24, 2022
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common among sex trafficking victims. In this report, researchers describe the results of a panel in which participants discussed the intersections between SUDs and sex trafficking and how they complicate victims' identification, screening, and ability to access treatment and legal remedies. The report also presents recommendations for service providers, victim advocates, and criminal justice practitioners.
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Disparities in Use/Misuse of Specific Illicit and Prescription Drugs Among Sexual Minority Adults in a National Sample February 11, 2022
We examined disparities by sexual identity and sex for 8 illicit and prescription drugs using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data.
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Alcohol Use and Cannabis Use Trajectories and Sexual/Gender Minority Disparities in Young Adulthood February 8, 2022
At the same levels of alcohol/cannabis use from middle school through young adulthood, SGM individuals show disparities in multiple domains compared to non-SGM peers. Efforts to reduce substance use and structural disadvantages experienced by SGM youths are needed.
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Insights Into Mixing Fentanyl and Benzodiazepines From Canadian Drug Seizures January 25, 2022
In 2020, there were 60,000 overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids in the US, where data lags and limited cross-agency coordination impedes understanding of transitioning illicit drug markets. Better data from Canada can offer some understanding.
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Value of Family Involvement in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Aligning Clinical and Financing Priorities January 7, 2022
Family support has important impacts on recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). This paper illustrates how financing gaps limit SUD service systems from offering family services. We offer two sets of recommendations for funding family involvement in SUD services.
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What Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Can Tell Us About Addressing Violent Extremism January 5, 2022
In this Perspective, the authors examine similarities between violent extremism and substance dependence. They review evidence from psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and public health that suggests that there are similarities in violent extremism and substance dependence in terms of the underlying neural pathways, social and psychological causes, behavioral patterns, and opportunities for prevention and intervention.
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APCDs Can Provide Important Insights for Surveilling the Opioid Epidemic, With Caveats March 4, 2022
We compared Colorado's all-payer claims databases with other state-level databases, using analyses comparing quarterly rates of opioid-involved inpatient and emergency department visits and rates of 30-day opioid fills.
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Changes in Emergency Department Encounters for Vomiting After Cannabis Legalization in Colorado March 4, 2022
The findings of this study suggest that cannabis legalization in Colorado is associated with an increase in annual vomiting-related health care encounters with regard to exposure to these markets.
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Reducing Opioid Overdose Deaths by Expanding Naloxone Distribution and Addressing Structural Barriers to Care February 1, 2022
Qualitatively synthesizing evidence from six systematic reviews, the authors conclude that OEND programs generally produce beneficial outcomes across all domains considered, although the authors' ratings for the strength of the evidence are often "limited" or "moderate."
2021
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Study on Smoke-Free Environments and Advertising of Tobacco and Related Products: Final Report December 15, 2021
This report presents the results of the external study on smoke-free environments, and advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and related products.
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Final Evaluation of LA DOOR: Proposition 47 Grant Program September 30, 2021
The Los Angeles Diversion, Outreach, and Opportunities for Recovery program provides a comprehensive, health-focused, preventative approach that proactively engages individuals at elevated risk of returning to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office on a new misdemeanor offense related to substance use, mental illness, or homelessness. In this report, the authors summarize their findings from an evaluation of Cohort 1 of the program.
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Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders: The Harm Associated with Punitive Approaches August 31, 2021
The U.S. faces a maternal health crisis: each year, 700 women die from pregnancy-related complications and there are 25,000 cases of severe maternal morbidity, such as eclampsia or sepsis. In 2020 the DHHS issued an action plan to reduce mortality and improve health.
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Longitudinal Associations Between Changes in Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Use, Eating Behavior, Perceived Stress, and Self-Rated Health in a Cohort of Low-Income Black Adults August 27, 2021
We found significant longitudinal associations between smoking behavior and eating behavior, perceived stress, and self-rated health. This has implications for the development of behavior change programs and community-level interventions and policies.
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Can Novel 'Swift-Certain-Fair' Programs Work Outside of Pioneering Jurisdictions? An Analysis of 24/7 Sobriety in Montana, USA July 20, 2021
South Dakota USA's 24/7 Sobriety Program appears to work in Montana as well. Certain delivery of immediate but modest sanctions for repeat driving under the influence (DUI) arrestees who violate alcohol abstinence orders appears to be able to reduce future DUI arrests.
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Cannabis Legalization and Social Equity: Some Opportunities, Puzzles, and Trade-Offs July 16, 2021
Legalization for nonmedical purposes may create new sources of disproportionate harm even as it alleviates some inequities associated with cannabis prohibition.
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Study to Identify an Approach to Measure the Illicit Market for Tobacco Products: Final Report May 11, 2021
This study is intended to support efforts to better understand the scope and scale of the illicit tobacco market.
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Clinician Perspectives on Methadone Service Delivery and the Use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study May 5, 2021
To explore the impact of the pandemic and accompanying policy changes on service delivery, we asked OTP clinicians about changes in care patterns and perceptions of impacts on access and quality.
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Use of Tobacco Products Among Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness May 5, 2021
To understand patterns of use and interest in quitting different types of tobacco products among youth experiencing homelessness, a RAND team surveyed these youth in Los Angeles County to inform efforts to reduce their use of tobacco products.
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Longitudinal Associations of Sleep Problems with Alcohol and Cannabis Use from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood April 28, 2021
This study examined longitudinal associations of sleep problems with alcohol and cannabis use across six annual waves of data from adolescence to emerging adulthood.