Drug policies and harms: A conceptual framework

Author(s): Reuter, P., Derks, J., Grapendaal, M., Ebener, P.

Journal/Book: Eur Addict Res. 1998; 4: Allschwilerstrasse 10, CH-4009 Basel, Switzerland. Karger. 172-182.

Abstract: Existing indicators of drug-related policies and harms - official statistics, treatment data, and so on - are difficult to interpret and to compare across jurisdictions. We propose a conceptual framework including key dimensions of policy and harm. The framework is designed to guide creation of a new dataset in which existing empirical data can be used to assign city-specific scores on policy and harm dimensions, By an interpretive process involving local experts and a coordinating body, we believe that existing data can be evaluated and synthesized to derive these scores. We also propose a cumulative case-study method of querying the dataset to test hypotheses regarding relationships between policies and harms.

Note: Article Longshore D, RAND, Drug Policy Res Ctr, 1700 Main St, Santa Monica,CA 90405 USA

Keyword(s): drug policies; harms of drug use; harm reduction; COMMUNITY; USERS

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