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Ignoring evidence has led to ineffective drug policies, shows research

BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e148 (Published 06 January 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e148
  1. Helen Mooney
  1. 1London

National drug control initiatives often lack an evidence base, while existing international treaties have done little to prevent drug misuse, say experts in a series of studies published in the Lancet.

Every year some 200 million people worldwide use illicit drugs, and the burden of drug use in developed countries is similar to that caused by alcohol, shows one of the studies (Lancet 2012;379:55-70, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61138-0).

Speaking at a press briefing to launch the series, John Strang, head of the National Addiction Centre at King’s College London and author of a study …

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