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Measuring drug policy evolution: A cross-country analysis
Ricardo Gonçalves1, Ana Lourenço2, Helia Marreiros3
1Católica Porto Business School and CEGE, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal.
The International Journal on Drug Policy
|March 8, 2025
Summary
This study introduces the Illicit Drugs Policy Indexes (IDPI) to quantitatively compare drug policies. Findings reveal a global trend towards less criminalized drug approaches over twenty years.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Public Health Policy
- Comparative Law
Background:
- Limited quantitative tools exist for comparing drug policies across jurisdictions.
- Drug policies have significant impacts on public health and criminal justice outcomes.
- Assessing the evolution of drug laws requires systematic, data-driven methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Illicit Drugs Policy Indexes (IDPI) for standardized drug policy evaluation.
- To quantitatively assess the evolution of drug policies over time and across countries.
- To provide a framework for evidence-based drug policy reform.
Main Methods:
- Utilized leximetrics, a state-of-the-art comparative law method.
- Constructed the Illicit Drugs Policy Indexes (IDPI) covering consumption, possession, and traffic laws.
- Analyzed drug policies in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK from 1996-2016.
Main Results:
- Identified significant turning points in drug legislation evolution.
- Observed a general shift towards less criminal justice-oriented drug policies.
- Highlighted specific countries demonstrating greater progression in policy reform.
Conclusions:
- The IDPI offers a standardized framework for evaluating and reforming drug policies.
- The methodology is adaptable across diverse jurisdictions for evidence-based policymaking.
- Comparative analysis reveals trends in drug law reform globally.
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