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Publications on Drug Abuse and Drug Policy

2023

A Multi-Site Evaluation of Law Enforcement Deflection in the United States January 10, 2023

Melissa M. Labriola, Samuel Peterson, Jirka Taylor, Danielle Sobol, Jessica Reichert, Jon Ross, Jac Charlier, Sophia Juarez
This report describes the findings from a multi-site evaluation of law enforcement deflection in the United States. The authors describe how each program is implemented and identify key program facilitators and barriers. For two of the six sites, the authors conducted outcome analyses to determine whether the model is effective in reducing drug-related deaths and overdoses, arrests, and treatment admissions.

2022

The Kids Aren't Alright: The Effects of Medical Marijuana Market Size on Adolescents December 9, 2022

Rosanna Smart, Jacqueline Doremus
Combining a novel measure of market size with two shocks to U.S. federal enforcement policy, researchers find that legal medical market growth increases youth cannabis use and alcohol-involved car accidents, suggesting complementarities for youths. It’s unclear whether these results apply to cannabis legalization for nonmedical purposes.
Psychedelics and Veterans' Mental Health: The Evolving Legal and Policy Landscape in the United States December 21, 2022

Bryce Pardo, Beau Kilmer, Rajeev Ramchand, Carrie M. Farmer
There has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of compounds often referred to as psychedelics to address a variety of mental health conditions that are common among veterans. Given the rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape surrounding the use and supply of psychedelics, the federal government must consider how best to support veterans and their health care providers.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Incorporating Social Network Visualizations Into a Culturally Centered Motivational Network Intervention to Prevent Substance Use Among Urban Native American Emerging Adults: A Qualitative Study November 22, 2022

David P. Kennedy, Elizabeth J. D'Amico, Ryan Andrew Brown, Alina I. Palimaru, Daniel Dickerson, Carrie L. Johnson, Anthony Lopez
Social network visualizations are a promising tool for increasing awareness of social challenges and sources of resilience for urban American Indian/Alaska Native emerging adults.
Perceived Substance Use Risks Among Never Users: Sexual Identity Differences in a Sample of U.S. Young Adults October 27, 2022

Megan S. Schuler, Rebecca J. Evans-Polce
This investigation provides evidence that LGB adults perceive lower risks associated with multiple substance use behaviors than heterosexual adults, which may indicate important sexual identity differences in susceptibility to substance use initiation.
Examining Inhalant Use Among Sexual Minority Adults in a National Sample: Drug-Specific Risks or Generalized Risk? October 27, 2022

Megan S. Schuler, Rajeev Ramchand
This study compared use of 12 specific inhalants among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults relative to heterosexual adults in a national sample.
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act Insurance Expansions on Opioid-Related Emergency Department Visits October 27, 2022

Sandra L. Decker, Michael Dworsky, Teresa B. Gibson, Rachel M. Henke, Kimberly Walsh McDermott
We leverage ACA coverage expansions to study the impact of health insurance on opioid-related emergency department visits while accounting for potentially confounding changes in relevant state-level policies.
Housing and Homelessness Research at RAND October 25, 2022

Alina I. Palimaru, Amy L. Shearer
This short film provides a snapshot of how RAND is contributing to research on housing and homelessness. It shares RAND's commitment to addressing these issues and highlights some of our work and stakeholders.
Comparing Two Federal Financing Strategies on Penetration and Sustainment of the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach for Substance Use Disorders: Protocol for a Mixed-Method Study October 13, 2022

Alex R. Dopp, Sarah B. Hunter, Mark D. Godley, Chau Pham, Bing Han, Rosanna Smart, Jonathan H. Cantor, Beau Kilmer, Grace Hindmarch, Isabelle González, et al.
The project will advance understanding of effective financing strategies to support the implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices for the treatment of adolescent substance use disorders.
A Latent Class Approach to Understanding Longitudinal Sleep Health and the Association with Alcohol and Cannabis Use During Late Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood October 12, 2022

Wendy M. Troxel, Anthony Rodriguez, Rachana Seelam, Lu Dong, Lilian Perez, Joan S. Tucker, Daniel Siconolfi, Elizabeth J. D'Amico
Persistent poor sleep health was associated with higher levels of alcohol and cannabis use and consequences, and greater increases in alcohol-related consequences during the transition from late adolescence to emerging adulthood.
Trajectories of Emerging Adults' Binge Drinking and Depressive Symptoms and Associations With Sexual Violence Victimization: Examining Differences by Sexual and Gender Minority Status October 11, 2022

Daniel Siconolfi, Jordan P. Davis, Eric R. Pedersen, Joan S. Tucker, Michael Stephen Dunbar, Anthony Rodriguez, Elizabeth J. D'Amico
We examined longitudinal associations between binge drinking (BD), depressive symptoms, and sexual violence (sexual harassment and sexual assault) among sexual and gender minority (SGM) and non-SGM emerging adults.
Perspectives of Patients Receiving Telemedicine Services for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Qualitative Analysis of User Experiences September 8, 2022

Jessica L. Sousa, Pushpa Raja, Haiden A. Huskamp, Ateev Mehrotra, Alisa B. Busch, Michael L. Barnett, Lori Uscher-Pines
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 adults receiving care from one fully virtual opioid use disorder telemedicine service who had received three to five weeks of treatment.
Restructuring Personal Networks with a Motivational Interviewing Social Network Intervention to Assist the Transition Out of Homelessness: A Randomized Control Pilot Study September 8, 2022

David P. Kennedy, Karen Chan Osilla, Sarah B. Hunter, Daniela Golinelli, Ervant J. Maksabedian Hernandez, Joan S. Tucker
This study is the first pilot test of a Social Network Intervention (MI-SNI) customized for assisting the transition out of homelessness to test for personal network changes.
Legal Review of State Emergency Medical Services Policies and Protocols for Naloxone Administration August 2, 2022

Rosanna Smart, Rebecca Lee Haffajee, Corey S. Davis
We provide data on the authority of providers at different emergency medical services licensure levels to administer naloxone. We also describe relevant policies regarding which administration routes and dosages are permitted for each licensure level.
How Much Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl Could the U.S. Be Consuming? July 28, 2022

Beau Kilmer, Bryce Pardo, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Peter Reuter
This article provides guidance through two thought experiments that provide a hypothetical upper bound on U.S. consumption of fentanyl.
Methodological Considerations for Estimating Policy Effects in the Context of Co-Occurring Policies July 15, 2022

Beth Ann Griffin, Megan S. Schuler, Joseph D. Pane, Stephen W. Patrick, Rosanna Smart, Bradley D. Stein, Geoffrey E. Grimm, Elizabeth A. Stuart
Researchers conducted simulations to assess how concurrently implemented policies affected the evaluation of hypothetical state-level policies.
Giving Drug Policy Decisionmakers the Data They Need June 24, 2022

Bryce Pardo, Beau Kilmer
Testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control on June 22, 2022.
Volunteer Recovery Support for Adolescents: Using Propensity Score Based Methods to Understand Dosage Effects Within a Randomized Controlled Trial June 24, 2022

Mark D. Godley, Lora L. Passetti, Brooke D. Hunter, Beth Ann Griffin
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.
Comparative Effectiveness of Individual Versus Family-Based Substance Use Treatment on Adolescent Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors June 21, 2022

Lynsay Ayer, Joseph D. Pane, Mark D. Godley, Daniel F. McCaffrey, Lane F. Burgette, Matthew Cefalu, Brian G. Vegetabile, Beth Ann Griffin
We compared the effectiveness of individual- and family-based substance use treatments in reducing youth self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.
Rapid Changes in Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl Products and Prices in the United States May 13, 2022

Beau Kilmer, Bryce Pardo, Toyya Pujol-Mitchell, Jonathan P. Caulkins
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?
Comparison of Hospital Claims and Poison Center Data to Evaluate Health Impact of Opioids, Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids March 4, 2022

George Sam Wang, Christine Buttorff, Asa Wilks, Daniel Schwam, Gregory J. Tung, Shireen Banerji, Richard C. Dart, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
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.
Cannabis Legalization and Cannabis-Involved Pregnancy Hospitalizations in Colorado March 4, 2022

George Sam Wang, Christine Buttorff, Asa Wilks, Daniel Schwam, Torri D. Metz, Gregory J. Tung, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
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.
Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System February 24, 2022

Lynn Langton, Michael G. Planty, Duren Banks, Amanda R. Witwer, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson
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.
Disparities in Use/Misuse of Specific Illicit and Prescription Drugs Among Sexual Minority Adults in a National Sample February 11, 2022

Megan S. Schuler, Rebecca L. Collins, Rajeev Ramchand
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.
Alcohol Use and Cannabis Use Trajectories and Sexual/Gender Minority Disparities in Young Adulthood February 8, 2022

Michael Stephen Dunbar, Daniel Siconolfi, Anthony Rodriguez, Rachana Seelam, Jordan P. Davis, Joan S. Tucker, Elizabeth J. D'Amico
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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