Overview

How is UK drugs policy made, and why does it so often seem irrational when considering what works in reducing drug-related harms? This book explains how the concept of drug policy constellations - the loosely concerted policy actors with shared moral commitments that influenced policy outcomes - explains why there is no such thing as 'evidence-based' drug policy. Drawing on his participation in high-level policy discussions, and a novel approach to policy analysis, Stevens presents three recent cases involving key issues in UK illicit drug policy - medical cannabis, drug-related deaths and the government's 10-year drug strategy.

Full Product Details

Author:   Alex Stevens (Kent University)
Publisher:   Bristol University Press
Imprint:   Bristol University Press
ISBN:  

9781529231427

ISBN 10:   1529231426
Pages:   192
Publication Date:   15 April 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  General/trade ,  Professional & Vocational ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Drug Policy Constellations Part I: Contexts, Concepts and Methods for Studying Drug Policy Constellations 2. Facts and Narratives of the UK Drug Policy Context 3. Power and Morality in Policy Making 4. Policy Constellation: A Critical Realist Approach 5. Studying Policy Constellations in the Real World Part II: Morality and Power in UK Drug Policy Constellations 6. Moralities in Action: The Ethico-Political Bases of UK Drug Policy 7. Mapping UK Drug Policy Constellations 8. Power in UK Drug Policy Constellations Part III: Cases in Drug Policy Making in the UK 9. The Legalisation of Medical Cannabis 10. Responses to the Drug Deaths Crisis: Explaining Differences at UK and Scottish Levels 11. The UK’s Ten-Year Drug Strategy 12. A Retroductive Conclusion

Reviews

""A rich, explanatory tool in the analysis of policy processes. It will appeal to those conducting drug policy analysis, seeking to influence drug policy, to understand the role (or not) of evidence, and to understand how policy decisions are made and taken."" Addiction ""There is a richness and a depth to this book; it can be read and re-read with new ideas emerging each time."" Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy “A masterly critical realist exploration of UK drug policy making, utilising the concept of ‘constellations’ to analyse the power of values and interests, along with savvy politics, to influence what gets done.” Susanne MacGregor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Middlesex University ""An illuminating and important insight into the frequently weird and occasionally wonderful world of drug policy."" Steve Rolles, Transform Drug Policy Foundation

"""A rich, explanatory tool in the analysis of policy processes. It will appeal to those conducting drug policy analysis, seeking to influence drug policy, to understand the role (or not) of evidence, and to understand how policy decisions are made and taken."" Addiction ""There is a richness and a depth to this book; it can be read and re-read with new ideas emerging each time."" Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy “A masterly critical realist exploration of UK drug policy making, utilising the concept of ‘constellations’ to analyse the power of values and interests, along with savvy politics, to influence what gets done.” Susanne MacGregor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Middlesex University ""An illuminating and important insight into the frequently weird and occasionally wonderful world of drug policy."" Steve Rolles, Transform Drug Policy Foundation"

Author Information

Alex Stevens is Professor in Criminal Justice at the University of Kent.

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