Abstract: Despite the long-standing prominence of the problem, relatively coherent strategies and substantial investment, the United Kingdom remains at the top of the European ladder for drug use and drug dependence. This study by Professor Peter Reuter of the University of Maryland, USA, and Alex Stevens of the University of Kent, England, assesses the evidence relation to the UK drug problem and analyses the impact of current policies.
Keywords: AOD public policy strategy; legal regulation; law; AOD use; history; AOD dependence; treatment and maintenance; harm reduction; heroin-assisted treatment; needle distribution and exchange; cost-effectiveness; crime; communicable disease; research; law enforcement; policy recommendations; United Kingdom